Arrest after Belfast's Big Fish sculpture is damaged
Big Fish, the 10‑metre ceramic salmon that sits on the banks of the River Lagan, has become a beloved landmark since artist John Kindness installed it in 1999. Covered in more than three hundred tiles that weave together newspaper clippings, images and text, the piece doubles as a time capsule filled with local poems and stories, linking Belfast’s past with its present.
In the early hours of a recent morning the sculpture was struck with a sledgehammer, leaving the left eye badly damaged. Police arrived at the scene, identified a 44‑year‑old man nearby and took him into custody on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon.
The vandalism has sparked a renewed call from councillors and residents for stronger safeguards. Officials stress that the work is not only a tourist draw but also a community memory bank, and they are now pushing for repairs and enhanced protection to preserve this iconic piece for future generations.