Anti-whalers' water cannon

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's anti-whaling ship, the Steve Irwin, will be fitted with a water cannon for the looming summer stoush with Japanese whalers.

The 59.5m ship, a former Scottish fisheries protection vessel, has been docked in Brisbane since May for repairs to damage done during last year's battle in Antarctic waters.

Ship manager Benjamin Baldwin said this year's campaign, dubbed Operation Waltzing Matilda, would involve new tactics including the use of a water cannon.

"The Japanese whaling fleet installed new water cannons and that proved to be an effective tactic in making it difficult for us to get close.

"We have learned from that and are doing what we can to step up our tactics," he said.

The 40 crew members of the Steve Irwin this year hail from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Mr Baldwin said the ship would head off in December to take on the whaling fleet, which is expected to focus on the western part of Antarctic waters this season.

He said 305 whales were saved last season and this season Sea Shepherd was aiming to shut down whaling altogether.

It is understood the whalers - who Japanese authorities say are conducting vital scientific research - will target minke, fin and humpback whales.

"The humpback whales are especially sad for all of us ... because some of the crew have gone out and done some whale watching.

"It's hard to imagine those whales will now be in danger of Japan's harpoons."

The Steve Irwin was raided by federal police in February after a complaint from Japanese officials.

A police spokesman said the investigation was ongoing.

Mr Baldwin said he was not aware of any charges laid.

Also, since last season, the Japanese Government has changed with new leader Yukio Hatoyama from the Democratic Party of Japan believed to be less favourable towards whaling.AAP