While the number of small fish is on the rise, the little swimmers are also being increasingly sought after for use as fishmeal in human-run fisheries, Christensen said.

Chuang Tzu sought to live in a simple and plain life strictly, he pursued after little enjoyment of material. Hence, from his appearance, people thought he was slovenly.

"The heel is engineering in itself, " said the sought-after designer in his Paris atelier. "This little thing that supports the human weight has to have a precise balance.