The Tuapse Refinery (part of Rosneft’s oil refining complex) has released over 35,000 fry of Black Sea salmon (sea trout) back into their natural habitat. The initiative is part of the enterprise’s project to restore the population of this endangered species, which is listed in the Red Book.

Black Sea salmon was a commercial fish until 1955. However, unregulated fishing and poaching have caused its population to decrease significantly. The government is currently protecting Black Sea salmon. The preservation and reproduction of sea trout is only possible thanks to special programmes that involve rearing fry in artificial conditions before releasing them into their natural habitat.

At the request of the Tuapse Refinery, a trout farm was used to raise sea trout fry in water from artesian wells. Special feed containing vitamins and probiotics was given to the fry to boost their immunity. Once the fry had reached a weight of 1.5 grams, salt baths were prepared to help them adapt to seawater. Each fish weighed about four grams before release.

Representatives from the Federal Agency for Fishery and the Azov Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography determine the areas in which fry should be released, taking into account factors such as water composition, food supply, temperature, currents and distance from the sea. The water temperature of the river must match the water temperature where the fish was raised. There should be a distance of ten kilometres from the place of release to the sea, which the fry will cross in two months. The salmon gain weight in the sea and return to the release site for spawning after 2-3 years.

In 2020–2021, the enterprise had already organised the release of fry in batches of 6,000 and 12,000. The environmental campaigns aimed at restoring the salmon population are yielding positive results. It has already been confirmed that fish weighing up to 500 grams are returning to the rivers.

Preserving the environment for future generations is one of the key areas of Rosneft’s development strategy. The Company and its subsidiaries are implementing a number of comprehensive programmes to preserve biodiversity and natural resources in the regions of operations. They are also striving to ensure environmentally friendly production processes and minimise their environmental impact.

In addition to releasing fry, the Tuapse Refinery participates in environmental campaigns and organises community clean-up days, including those held near the Kiselev Rocks natural monument. The enterprise’s volunteers also raise environmental awareness among young people.

Department of Information and Advertising
Rosneft
October 16, 2025

Keywords: Environmental news 2025