4000 tropical fish killed in customs delay...

Thousands of tropical fish have died at a Russian airport after being held in customs in the summer heat. The state-run RIA Novosti news agency says that more than 4,000 fish worth £297,000 died in the Black Sea resort of Sochi after customs officials spent 15 hours clearing the cargo on Saturday. The fish had been shipped from China for Sochi Discovery World,the county's largest oceanarium, due to open this month. Amin Azzam, the oceanarium's director, said the loss was an "atrocity unseen anywhere else in the world".
 
The £15m oceanarium is part of the 2014 Winter Olympics development.
 
This is not a particularly nice story, by any stretch of the imagination. I have experienced 'Sochi International Airport' at first hand, and it is reminiscent of a 1970s South African bush airstrip, but without the friendly staff.
 
So apart from disgust at the story itself, why should this worry us?
 
Because the Russian Black Sea coast is testimony to Russia;s total lack of interest in environmental concerns. Compared to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, it is a complete disgrace. Now, the whole area around Sochi is being regenerated in preperation for the 2014 Winter Olympics. We shudder to imagine what environmental degradation is taking place so that Russia can impress the world for a few days.
 
We will be watching closely....