Denmark local joins Sea Shepherd crew

A 26-year old Denmark woman will board a Sea Shepherd vessel next month in her quest to help protect and conserve marine ecosystems and species.

Chloe Kobel, who began volunteering for the local Sea Shepherd group two years ago, will move to Melbourne next month after her acceptance on to the SSS Steve Irwin.

The SSS Steve Irwin, named after the late Australian conservationist, is part of the Sea Shepherd fleet that aims to protect and defend marine life.

Ms Kobel, who will help the group prepare for the ship's next campaign, which is expected to launch in December, said working with Sea Shepherd was fulfilling.

"I really have opened my eyes up to the bigger picture of what's happening in the world," she said.

"I believe that the oceans are so severely important to everything from the weather to biodiversity and I think that it's something that really is in need of protecting, so I've just chosen to follow my passions and put my energies into that."

Ms Kobel said her first international campaign, Operation Grindstop against the mass slaughter of long-finned pilot whales in the Faroe Islands last year, influenced her decision to become a regular member of ocean-based campaigns.

"I made my mind up while I was over there that I was really interested in getting (more) involved," she said.

"It was life-changing, heartbreaking and exciting all at the same time, but it was all completely worth it, with the campaign turning out to be one of the most successful to date."

Ms Kobel will also host an art exhibition and fundraiser at the Willoughby Park cellar door on June 12.