The ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ – popularly known as the Big Fish – has stood on the banks of the River Lagan since 1999. Designed by local artist John Kindness, the 10‑metre long ceramic fish was commissioned to celebrate the river’s regeneration and the return of fish to its waters, and it has become a favourite photo‑stop for tourists and locals alike.
Over the weekend, one of the sculpture’s eyes was deliberately broken, according to police reports. The damage prompted the site to be fenced off while conservation specialists assess the break and plan repairs, leaving the artwork inaccessible to the public until work is completed.
In the wake of the vandalism, animal‑rights group PETA wrote to Belfast City Council proposing that a plaque be added to the sculpture. The letter, signed by Dawn Carr, PETA’s vice‑president of vegan projects, urges the council to display a message encouraging “everyone to spare a thought for gentle fish killed for their flesh by going vegan”. The offer, the group says, is contingent on the approval of Mr Lyons, whose role is not detailed in the source.
Carr’s letter argues that salmon are intelligent, sensitive animals that navigate vast oceans, yet millions are confined in crowded fish farms where disease, parasites and violent slaughter are common. PETA also cited industry figures, claiming that 38 million tonnes of other aquatic animals – including whales, dolphins, turtles and sharks – are unintentionally caught or entangled in fishing gear each year.
The council has not yet commented on the repair timetable or on whether the proposed plaque will be installed. The incident has sparked a debate among Belfast residents about protecting public art and the appropriateness of using the sculpture as a platform for animal‑rights messaging.