Name new species of marine life auction
Published September 26th, 2007
Prince Albert of Monaco hosted a record-breaking auction selling off the right to name new species of marine life last week.
The 49-year-old prince was the guest of honour at The Blue Auction at Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium conducted by Christie’s auction house last Thursday (23.09.07).
Albert said: “It gets people focused on the fact that species are still being discovered, yet there are some disappearing that we will never be able to name.”
Guests fought it out for the right to name 10 different new species recently discovered by Conservation International in Indonesia.
The top bid of the day was for the chance to name the miscyllium cenrawasih, a breed of walking shark which can swim perfectly well, but prefers to crawl on its pectoral fins.
The winning bid of £250,000 was made by an unnamed source.
The event raised more than £1 million, making it the most successful auction of its type ever held.
