Uzbek Fishermen Shine at International Tournament Near Türkiye’s Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At the end of October, the third international fishing tournament took place on the Mediterranean coast in Türkiye’s Mersin province, near the future Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, drawing participants from seven countries.

Among the competitors was a team from Uzbekistan, which stood out among recreational anglers and supporters of green energy, winning the prize for “Largest Fish.”

The tournament had a unique format, even for experienced fishermen. Fishing took place just a few kilometers from the construction site of Türkiye’s first-ever nuclear power plant, being built with the involvement of the state corporation Rosatom. Organizers noted that the event demonstrated the possibility of harmoniously combining modern technology with environmental stewardship.

A total of 14 amateur anglers participated, along with journalists and experts from Rosatom partner countries with ongoing or planned nuclear projects, including Hungary, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Türkiye, and Indonesia. Specialists from Akkuyu Nuclear also conducted dosimetric checks of the catch using specialized equipment, confirming the safety of the fish.

The Uzbek team consisted of amateur fishermen Sherali Otaboev and Nasrullo Ergashov. For them, the tournament was not only a sporting competition but also a cultural exchange and an opportunity to explore new technologies.

Ergashov shared that they fished in the pristine Mediterranean Sea near the nuclear plant, catching four tunas and several coral fish, releasing the smaller ones. Their record catch earned them the “Largest Fish” award.

For Otaboev, the experience was particularly meaningful. “It was my first time at sea, and sea fishing is a completely different experience. I’ve also always been curious about how a nuclear power plant works. Usually, such facilities are closed to visitors, but we were allowed to see the construction site and personally check the fish with a dosimeter. It was truly impressive,” he said, adding that similar initiatives could be developed in Uzbekistan, where plans for a domestic nuclear power plant are underway.

Alexandra Justus, Deputy General Director for Communications at Rosatom International Network, emphasized that the tournament goes beyond sport. She noted that it allows partner countries to observe a responsible approach to ecosystem protection, while the development of infrastructure around the plant creates comfortable living, leisure, and tourism conditions, generating new opportunities for local residents.

Sergey Butskikh, General Director of Akkuyu Nuclear, added that holding the tournament near the future plant demonstrates the project’s transparency and adherence to high environmental standards during construction.

The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is being built in the Gülnar district of Mersin province, where mountainous forests border citrus orchards, and local fishing communities live by the rhythm of the sea. In the nearby village of Büyükeceli, residents engage in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing.

The project includes construction of roads, schools, hotels, and sports complexes. Akkuyu is the world’s first nuclear plant built under a Build-Own-Operate model. Thousands of specialists are involved in the construction, 80% of whom are Turkish citizens. In the future, a residential town for 6,000 people will be established near the plant, with a kindergarten, school, medical center, and sports facilities.

Once operational, Akkuyu is expected to produce about 35 billion kWh of electricity annually, sufficient to power a large metropolis such as Istanbul.