Marine experts will begin a rescue mission this morning following a mass whale stranding on Tasmania's west coast.
Twenty sperm whales became stranded on Ocean Beach, near Strahan, with four more stranded on sandbars in nearby Macquarie Harbour.
The Department of Primary Industries says 16 whales have already died on Ocean Beach and warns that the other four whales are unlikely to survive.
However, the department is still holding out hope for those whales stranded in the harbour.
Rescuers will resume their bid to save the whales at first light, but say it could take several days to free them all.
