Yet another spate of penguin killings has Tasmanian authorities urging the public to help with information, after 30 small birds were found dead, the third such incident in six months.

Key points: The bodies of the birds were found at a beach near Bicheno, on Tasmania's east coast

The bodies of the birds were found at a beach near Bicheno, on Tasmania's east coast Dog attacks were believed to be the cause of two previous incidents where dozens of birds were killed

Dog attacks were believed to be the cause of two previous incidents where dozens of birds were killed Little penguins are also known as fairy penguins, and are the smallest species of penguin

The dead little penguins were discovered by a member of the public on Friday morning at Waubs Bay beach, at Bicheno on the state's east coast.

WARNING: This story contains an image which may cause distress.

Last month, 58 penguins were killed in a suspected dog attack at Low Head in the north.

A dozen birds died in the area in June, after what was assessed as a probable dog attack.

The Government said wildlife enforcement rangers from the Department of Primary Industries were investigating the latest deaths.

The bodies of the birds have been collected and will be taken to the Mt Pleasant laboratories in Launceston to determine the cause of death.

Little penguins — also known as fairy penguins — are the smallest of the penguin species, growing to an average height of 40 centimetres and weighing an average of 1 kilogram.

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) has called for public assistance.

A local expert said the colony would be hard hit by the deaths. ( Supplied: DPIPWE )

Luke Bond from the department's Wildlife Enforcement section said they want to hear from any members of the public who may have information.

"At this stage we believe the deaths have occurred in the last 12 hours or so," he said.

"We are appreciative of the public support so far that saw the discovery of the birds promptly reported.

"We are now hoping to hear from anyone else who may have been in the area that can assist us in understanding circumstances around these deaths."

The operator of Bicheno Penguin Tours, Nik Wardlaw, said he was horrified by the deaths.

"It's a bit of a shock, everyone's sort of scratching their heads at the moment trying to work out how this has happened."

He said he believes dogs are responsible for the killings.

"When you've got 30 dead penguins like that, you would think that it would be a dog or several dogs that possible may have done that," he said.

"It's a problem that we try to eliminate with encouraging dog owners to keep their dogs locked up at all times.

"Generally the population of locals here are very, very good with their dogs, they understand the importance of penguins here to our economy, it's become a major part of the attraction of Bicheno with people coming from overseas and interstate to view the penguins here."

Penguin colonies struggle to recover after the deaths of large numbers of birds. ( Supplied: Dr Eric Woehler/BirdLife Tasmania. )

At this time of year, about 200 penguins come ashore along a large stretch of the Bicheno coastline.

Mr Wardlaw said the loss would have a significant impact on the remaining penguin population.

"Most of those penguins would have laid eggs or been feeding chicks," he said.

"Penguins share that role of feeding and incubating, we could possibly have 30 partners not coming back to relieve the other partner who's sitting on the eggs."

He estimated the colony would "lose 30 breeding pairs because of this".

"It's a bad time, it's the start of the breeding season and also the start of the summer holiday season," he said, adding it could take "years for the population to recover".

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call DPIPWE's Wildlife Enforcement Section on 0417 661 234 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Information can be provided anonymously.