The sculpture on the banks of the River Lagan has become a tourist favourite but it was damaged at the weekend.
Animal rights organisation Peta has offered to help repair Belfast’s Big Fish sculpture – in exchange for a pro-vegan plaque.
The Salmon Of Knowledge artwork, which has stood on the banks of the River Lagan in Northern Ireland’s capital since 1999, was designed by local artist John Kindness to mark the regeneration of the river and return of fish.
The 10-metre long ceramic fish has since become a tourist favourite, with many visitors making a point of stopping by for pictures, and some even patting it for luck.
However the sculpture has been cordoned off for repair after one of its eyes was smashed in an incident over the weekend.
A man appeared in court in Belfast on Monday accused of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
Peta has now written to Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons offering to help cover the repair costs.
The offer hinges on whether Mr Lyons agrees to display a plaque “encouraging everyone to spare a thought for gentle fish killed for their flesh by going vegan”.
Dawn Carr, Peta’s vice-president of vegan projects, wrote in the letter: “Salmon are intelligent, sensitive animals who can navigate vast oceans to find their way home. But right now, millions are trapped in crowded fish farms, where disease and parasites kill many, while survivors face a violent slaughter.
“Adding this plaque could help turn the tide for fish with a message of kindness, a fitting tribute to the sculpture’s creator, John Kindness.”
Peta said fish “share knowledge and have long memories and cultural traditions”, and some even “woo potential partners by creating intricate works of art in the sand on the ocean floor”, yet it said more fish are killed for food each year than all other animals combined.
The group said in addition, 38 million tonnes of other aquatic animals – including whales, dolphins, turtles, and sharks – are unintentionally caught or entangled in fishing gear annually as the fishing industry aims to satisfy consumer demand.
The Department for Communities has been asked for comment.
