A 7-meter-tall, seven-eyed inflatable sea monster is on display at a shopping mall in East China's Shanghai Municipality until June 16. It was made by Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrella, two well-known British street artists. Photo: IC

The research concentrated on 250 water samples taken all around Loch Ness and at different depths to build up a comprehensive picture of life in the Loch.

Gemmell noted that researchers in 1933 had also proposed that a giant eel could be the explanation of the sightings.

"Divers have claimed that they've seen eels as thick as their legs in the loch," he said to the media.

Theories abound about the true nature of the Loch Ness Monster, from a malevolent, shape-shifting "water horse," to an aquatic survivor of the dinosaur age, right down to logs, fish, wading birds or simply waves which have been blown out of all proportion.

The earliest chronicles of a creature in Loch Ness are attributed to Saint Columba, who brought Christianity to Scotland in the sixth century.

The last reported sighting was on March 26 last year by a US couple standing on the ramparts of the majestic ruin of Urquhart Castle.

AFP