Uzbek Team Wins “Largest Fish” at International Fishing Tournament Near Türkiye’s Akkuyu Nuclear Plant

At the end of October, the third international fishing tournament kicked off on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast in Mersin province, near the construction site of the country’s first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu.

The event drew participants from seven countries, blending sport, cultural exchange, and a showcase of modern energy infrastructure, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

A team from Uzbekistan made waves, earning the “Largest Fish” award with their impressive tuna catch. Amateur anglers Sherali Otaboev and Nasrullo Ergashov highlighted the tournament as a rare opportunity to fish in pristine waters while observing a nuclear construction site up close.

Organized by Rosatom and partners from Hungary, Egypt, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Türkiye, and Indonesia, the tournament also featured environmental and safety checks, with experts confirming the catch was safe for consumption. The event underscored the possibility of harmonizing cutting-edge technology with ecosystem protection.

Alexandra Justus, Deputy General Director at Rosatom International Network, noted that the tournament goes beyond sport, offering partner countries a firsthand look at responsible energy and environmental practices. Sergey Butskikh, General Director of Akkuyu Nuclear, added that the event demonstrates the plant’s transparency and adherence to high environmental standards.

The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, built under a Build-Own-Operate model, is set to generate around 35 billion kWh of electricity annually, enough to power a city as large as Istanbul. The project also includes housing, schools, medical centers, and recreational facilities for future residents, reflecting a holistic approach to sustainable regional development.

For the Uzbek team, the tournament was a blend of sport, culture, and technology, offering a glimpse of the future of nuclear energy alongside the Mediterranean’s natural beauty.