Strange fish in Monaco's harbour

Prince Albert II led an expedition to the Arctic in April 2006 to draw attention to the effects of climate change. But perhaps Mother Nature has sent a sign of the problem right to his doorstep to underline the seriousness of the issue.

While the jet-set gathered in the stands on the closing night of the 2007 international horse jumping competition (June 28 to 30) at Port Hercule, onlookers were shocked to see strange fish, about the length of a man's arm, in the harbour just behind the showground.

Monaco resident Nicolas Saussier, who has gone trawling in the Caribbean in the past, identified the fish as a type usually found only in a tropical climate. "I believe they're lost," surmised Saussier, who, incidentally, is Princess Stéphanie's press officer.

Onlookers were scratching their heads at what bizarre circumstances could have caused these creatures to wander into Monaco's waters, thousands of miles from their home.