Tasmania stranded pilot whales, sandbar off Tasmania’s west coast

 Tasmania stranded pilot whales, sandbar off Tasmania’s west coast.

Authorities are racing to rescue a large pod of around 270 whatles that have become stranded off Tasmania’s west coast.

Tasmania’s Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment said the mammals, believed to be pilot whales, were stranded at Macquarie Harbour near Strahan.

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service manager Nic Deka said a rescue operation will begin on Tuesday but it is difficult to tell how many whales are dead and alive.

“There are three different sites involved … in total, there are about 270 pilot whales that have been stranded.” told the ABC.

“The main pod that’s stranded is on a sand bar that’s about 100 metres off the Macquarie Heads boat ramp and there’s a further pod on another sand bar several hundred metres further out from there,” he said.

Pilot whales have been stranded in Tasmania.Source:Supplied

Hundreds of pilot whales stranded on a sandbank at Macquarie Heads, near Strahan in Tasmania's north west. Photo: Ryan BloomfieldSource:Supplied

Tasmanian police said they are working to assist with fish farms and local industry as part of the broader response.

“Members of the public are asked not to enter the water in boats,” police said.

“People wishing to visit the area must only park in the large car park at Macquarie Heads boat ramp and walk the 200m on foot.”

Earlier, a DPIPWE spokeswoman said they believed the pd was around 70 whales stuck on a sandbar and marine conservation experts were being deployed.

“Marine experts will assess the scene and the situation and will provide updates as the day progresses,” the spokeswoman said.

She said the exact species of whale was yet to be confirmed but they were believed to be pilot whales.

DPIPWE staff and Tasmania Police are at the scene managing the incident.