Ashburton’s Mayor has voiced her disappointment after Greenpeace activists altered Rakaia’s famous salmon statue, turning it into a cartoon dead fish in protest at what they say is environmental damage caused by intensive dairying.

The protest took place just days after the statue had been restored.

Greenpeace activists replaced the salmon’s eyes with cartoon style crosses and added a speech bubble reading, “Fonterra killed my family”.

The organisation said, “Rakaia made headlines last week when it was revealed that the town’s fishing competition would no longer involve any fishing, due to the dwindling numbers and size of Rakaia salmon. The reason? Decreased water flow due to irrigation for intensive dairying.”

Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe said, “There’s plenty of fish in the sea… but not in the Rakaia river.

“Rakaia’s famous salmon fishing competition is set to take place in two weeks, but for the first time, it won’t involve any actual fishing. The blame for that sits squarely with the dirty dairy industry.”

Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan said, “While I realise everyone has the right to protest, I am disappointed to see our Rakaia salmon has been vandalised. So much effort and care went into the restoration of this community asset.”