There are “bigger fish to fry” than coming up with a name for the iconic salmon statue in Rakaia.

While Gore’s trout statue has been given an official name, the Ashburton District Council’s community and open spaces group manager Toni Durham says there are no plans to get reeled into the naming game for Rakaia’s salmon.

“We’re not considering a name for the salmon.

“We currently have bigger fish to fry, in the form of our annual plan and Government reforms.”

Gore's brown trout statue has been named Trevor by a popular vote after Gore District Council teamed up with local radio station Hokonui FM to find a name the famous fish.

They sought name suggestions, and as has become customary in such competitions, Trouty McTroutface was floated but didn’t make the final cut for public voting.

Trevor was the clear winner over the other contenders of Trixie, Scout, Gordon and Finn.

Gore’s 9-metre-tall Trout was built first, constructed in 1989 by the Gore Lions Club to celebrate their 25th birthday.

The Rakaia Salmon followed two years later in 1991, funded by the Rakaia Lions Club, and vested to the council around 2005.

The 12-metre fibreglass salmon won’t be getting a name but just completed a $300,000 refurbishment by its original sculptor Phil Price.

The salmon was only just back in place after a seven-week restoration when Greenpeace activists stuck cartoon-style crosses and added a speech bubble reading 'Fonterra killed my family'.

Greenpeace claimed not to have used ladders or climbed the statue, but is believed to have used extending poles.

The council had to wait for the ground to dry out for a contractor to bring in a cherry picker on Saturday to remove the eyes, after the word bubble had already dropped off, and inspect for any damage on the freshly completed paint job.

“The cardboard and tape was removed from the eye, and tape was removed from the fin,” Durham said.

“We are currently awaiting photos, but expect them to confirm that the cardboard and tape did not cause damage to the exterior of the salmon.”

No damage will be a welcome relief, but the inspection will cost the ratepayers around $1000.

“The invoice is for $998, plus GST. It has been coded as vandalism, and at this stage, ratepayers will fund it.

"We’re waiting on the outcome of the police investigation before considering how we can recoup our costs," Durham said.

Police had no further update than that they were advised the statue “had been defaced” on February 15.

“Police are investigating the matter and are following lines of enquiry to locate those responsible.”

LDR is local body reporting funded by RNZ and NZ on Air.