A 42-year-old man who was swimming at a Hobart beach when he was stung by a stingray has died, despite attempts by paramedics to resuscitate him.

Key points: The man was stung while swimming at Lauderdale, about 13 kilometres east of Hobart

The man was stung while swimming at Lauderdale, about 13 kilometres east of Hobart Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said the council would consider closing the beach

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said the council would consider closing the beach Stingrays are frequently seen in the waters around Lauderdale

Tasmania Police confirmed the man was stung on the abdomen while swimming at the south-eastern foreshore of Lauderdale Beach, about 13 kilometres east of Hobart, on Saturday afternoon.

"Attempts to resuscitate the male were unsuccessful. In the immediate period prior to his death the male had been bathing in the waters a short distance from the shore," police said in a statement.

"He was removed from the water by friends prior to the arrival of emergency services.

"It was reported he was unaccompanied in the water at the time of sustaining a puncture wound to his lower abdomen."

Police at the scene of the stingray attack at Lauderdale, Tasmania. ( ABC News )

A witness told the ABC she could see a "number of paramedics" performing CPR on a man, just after 3:00pm.

Other witnesses at the scene were too distraught to speak publicly.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said the council would consider closing the beach if advised.

"It's a dreadful accident, I'm actually shocked," he said.

"My prayers go out to the family and friends of the man.

"I'm not aware of any other stingray attacks on the beach there but we will be taking advice from the experts and from Tasmania Police in terms of public safety."

Beach users shock

People took to ABC Hobart's Facebook page to express their shock and sadness about the death.

"I was on the beach at the time and knew him, very sad," one man wrote.

"Eek this is the beach we love," wrote another. "Looks like it's right opposite where we used to live!"

"Far out how devastating, condolences to his family, hope you're okay," Rebecca Ellison wrote.

"Oh how awful, used to see heaps at 5 Mile Beach," another said.

A number of stingray species are found in Tasmanian waters, with the waters around Lauderdale known to be frequented by the animals.

Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact them by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through the Crime Stoppers website.