Conservation boat Sea Shepherd to set off and target illegal fishing

Conservation group Sea Shepherd will launch its summer campaign today, with the vessel Bob Barker due to set off from Hobart.

With the Southern Ocean free from Japanese whaling this season after an International Court of Justice ruling, the ship is instead expected to target illegal fishing as part of its Operation Icefish.

Captain Peter Hammarstedt said it will be the crew's intention to confront, obstruct and interfere with illegally operating fishers.