DIVERS will try to move a pod of three whales spotted near Helensburgh in an operation later this week amid concern for the animals' welfare.

A 'Notice to Mariners' issued by the Admiralty says that the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) group's expert divers will try to encourage the northern bottlenose whales out of the Gareloch and into deeper water on Thursday, October 1.

Pictures and videos of the mammals have been widely shared online and on social media since they were first spotted in the area last week.

Scientists have also travelled to the area to monitor the situation, with some locals expressing concern that the whales have become stuck and may be unable to get past the naval base at Faslane.

READ MORE: 'Nature at its best': bottlenose whales wow onlookers near Helensburgh

The Notice to Mariners states that around six vessels are expected to be involved in Thursday's operation, and asks other vessels in the area to keep clear of the operation and navigate at slow speed and with particular caution.

Naval vessels from several NATO countries are due to arrive on the Clyde this week ahead of the latest Joint Warrior military training exercise.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the Advertiser: "We are aware of the presence of northern bottlenose whales in the Gareloch and are in contact with British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) to see if we can provide assistance.

"The Royal Navy takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and continues to work with the relevant UK authorities to ensure all practical measures required to reduce environmental risk and comply with legislation are taken.

READ MORE: Here's why you might see more military aircraft and ships around Scotland

"A necessary series of safety checks is observed and an environmental risk assessment is carried out before any underwater task is undertaken by MOD, to minimise any potential risk to marine life.

"Exercise Joint Warrior participants will be made aware of the presence of the whales and the latest sightings we might have for them.

"All participants are aware that environmental protection remains a priority for the exercise and we are prepared to amend the programme if these whales remain in an atypical situation."

Students from Edinburgh University, as well as the BDMLR's experts, have been monitoring the whales' behaviour over recent weeks in Loch Long, the Clyde estuary and the Gareloch.

According to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, northern bottlenose whales are most commonly found in the deep waters of the north Atlantic, though they also occur in small numbers off the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland and off the west coast of Ireland.

READ MORE: Click here for all the latest news headlines from across Helensburgh and Lomond