Due to its island nature Tasmania has hundreds of beaches along its coastline and is a shorebird stronghold.

It is home to half the world's population of hooded plovers and pied oystercatchers.

This summer, wildlife experts want seaside lovers to be more aware of the creatures who call the beach home, and have proposed making more sandy areas human-free.

"We need to change the way we think about the coast," BirdLife Tasmania's Eric Woehler said.

"The coast isn't just a resource, or a recreation destination, it's also a habitat for a group of birds that can only live, breed, feed and survive on beaches.

"Tasmania is the refuge for small shorebirds."

Shorebird breeding season is well underway across the state's coast, Dr Woehler said.

As beaches begin to pack out, he urged people to take notice of signs and fences, and keep dogs under control.

"There are birds on eggs, there are birds on chicks, there are chicks running around," Dr Woehler said.

Oystercatchers can live for 30 years, and need somewhere on the beach to call home. ( duadepaton.com )

Beach closures 'work well' elsewhere

Wildlife expert Greg Irons said many people forget that beaches are also habitats.

"We're actually visiting someone else's backyard," he said.

"If we had the [same] number of people [that are] jammed on beaches in summer in a forested area with other animals living there, there'd be uproar," Mr Irons said.

Mr Irons said government and experts should collaborate to identify 10–20 stretches of beach that are important to certain species and close them off to humans.

Wildlife expert Greg Irons says people forget beaches are a habitat for many species. ( ABC News: Rhiannon Shine )

"We should absolutely have some beaches that we can start running some tests on and see how it all goes," he said.

"Maybe it's just half the beach, I don't think it's something that would put people out."

He said the areas could then be monitored to see if more birds used it for breeding, and how quickly it regenerated.

"Hopefully animals get to know their safety zone and would breed in those areas rather than going to where there's people," he said.

"We're so careful about protecting many habitats yet beaches are just a free for all."

Eric Woehler has been surveying shorebirds for about 20 years. ( ABC Radio Hobart: Georgie Burgess )

Dr Woehler said there was a responsibility of governments and coastal land managers to make sure Tasmania's bird significance was duly recognised.

"The idea of beach closures is one that has been shown to work well on the mainland of Australia," he said.

He pointed to closures at Philip Island in Victoria which received lots of visitors.

Sandy areas near the mouth of the Prosser River have been closed off to protect hooded plovers and terns. ( Supplied )

Shorebirds can't live anywhere else

There have been efforts across the state to close off dune areas where shorebirds nest.

In Scamander there is fencing to protect the fairy tern, as well as in Orford, at the mouth of the Prosser River, to help terns and hooded plovers.

Dr Woehler said oystercatchers could live for up to 30 years and only call the beach home.

"They are utterly dependent on beaches, they don't have the option of going somewhere else," he said.

"We need to make sure future generations in Tasmania will have the pleasure of looking at these birds.

"If any area is closed off those fences are up for a reason, please respect signs."

Signs warn people to avoid areas where hooded plovers nest. ( ABC Radio Adelaide )

Mr Irons said beach users should stick to wet sand to avoid disturbing nesting sites.

"Take the time to read the signs, respect dog on leash areas," he said.

"People let their dogs chase birds and it really frustrates me, we wouldn't let our dog chase a Tassie devil or a quoll.

"Start imaging the beach as a habitat and what behaviours could you change to respect that habitat a bit more?"

Mr Irons said fishing line and fish hooks were particularly dangerous on beaches, and he'd had many birds brought to him with hooks stuck in them.

"It's not acceptable to litter. Take a bag with you and pick up rubbish as you go."

Hooded Plovers have small broods that hatch after about 30 days of incubation. ( Supplied: Daniel Lees )

The Parks and Wildlife Service works in partnership with community groups and local government as part of identifying and protecting these key areas.

A spokesman said Tasmania had one of the most significant reserve systems in Australia with more than 50 percent of the state protected.

"Tasmania boasts 19 national parks, three World Heritage Areas (WHAs) including the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA), and over 800 other reserves including marine reserves, Marine Conservation Areas (MCAs), Crown land and, sites of historic and cultural significance.

"These areas protect significant habitat of a wide range of fauna and bird species as well as significant Aboriginal and historic heritage," the spokesman said.

"Identifying and protecting areas that provide significant breeding habitat for species such as shore birds is part of the management of the reserve system.

"This can include putting in restrictions around breeding areas at key times of the year."