“I won’t be bought by vegan extremists”: Gordon Lyons rejects PETA offer to help repair Belfast’s Big Fish

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has rejected an offer from animal rights organisation PETA to contribute towards repairs to Belfast’s damaged Big Fish sculpture if a pro-vegan plaque was installed at the landmark.

The DUP MLA responded to the proposal on Wednesday, 23 September, saying he would not accept funding which required the promotion of PETA’s vegan campaign.

His response follows PETA’s offer to contribute towards repairing the Salmon of Knowledge after significant damage was caused to the sculpture’s left eye at Donegall Quay over the weekend.

PETA confirmed earlier on Wednesday that it had written to Mr Lyons offering financial assistance towards the repairs on the condition that an educational plaque promoting veganism was displayed beside the sculpture.

Gordon Lyons rejects PETA proposal

Writing on Facebook, Mr Lyons said:

“I won’t be bought by vegan extremists.”

He said that while he welcomed what he described as genuine interest in protecting the artwork, he would not accept financial support tied to a requirement to promote a particular message.

Mr Lyons said:

“Public artworks and spaces in Northern Ireland are not for sale.”

He added that the Big Fish would be repaired through what he described as the appropriate channels and said it should continue to represent Belfast’s history and the regeneration of the River Lagan rather than being used to promote an external campaign.

Minister highlights Glenarm salmon industry

Mr Lyons, who represents East Antrim, also used his response to highlight salmon production at Glenarm.

He said he was proud of the salmon produced within his constituency and said local producers make an important contribution to Northern Ireland’s economy and food sector.

The minister said he would not support messaging which, in his view, sought to undermine the industry or tell members of the public what they should eat.

What did PETA offer?

PETA had proposed contributing towards the cost of repairing the Big Fish if a plaque encouraging people to consider the treatment of farmed salmon and adopt a vegan diet was installed beside it.

PETA vice-president of vegan projects Dawn Carr said the organisation believed a plaque could use the landmark to highlight fish welfare.

The organisation also raised concerns about disease, parasites and environmental impacts associated with salmon farming as part of its wider campaign against eating animals. These are PETA’s campaigning claims and form part of its advocacy for veganism.

Big Fish damaged at weekend

The row follows significant damage to the Big Fish during an incident in the early hours of Sunday, 20 September.

The PSNI said officers received a report at around 12.30am that someone had been seen damaging the sculpture in the Donegall Quay area.

Police said significant damage had been caused to its left eye and subsequently arrested a 44-year-old man.

Peter Luke Smith, 44, later appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court. The court heard that damage to the landmark had been estimated at more than £10,000. He was remanded in custody in connection with charges arising from the incident.

The Big Fish, created by artist John Kindness, has stood beside the River Lagan since 1999 and has become one of Belfast’s best-known visitor landmarks.

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Northern Ireland Online previously reported on PETA’s proposal to help fund the repairs and its request for a vegan plaque to be installed alongside the sculpture.

The latest comments from Gordon Lyons mean the proposed arrangement will not be accepted on the terms put forward by PETA.