Look what's living in our seas! National Marine Week in Dorset

Dorset’s outstanding marine life is on show this summer, with National Marine Week from Saturday 7th to Sunday 15th August. Whether it’s clinging to a rock among a sea of anemones or buried in the soft sand in cunning camouflage, the wildlife hidden beneath the waves around the UK is intriguing. As part of The Wildlife Trusts’ national events, Dorset Wildlife Trust will be celebrating our unique undersea life with a host of rockpool rambles and seashore safaris to enjoy all along the Dorset coast.

Discover the biodiversity of the seas!

Dorset’s marine environment provides a haven for some of our most fascinating wildlife, such as basking sharks, seahorses, puffins and dolphins as well as the colourful creatures of the beach and rockpools. This is your chance to explore the seashore and get to know just some of its amazing life.

Julie Hatcher, Marine Awareness Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “This is International Year of Biodiversity, but did you know that half of our wildlife lives in the sea, with more than 44,000 different kinds of plants and animal in the UK alone? National Marine Week celebrates this amazing diversity and is a chance for everyone to discover some of it for themselves.”

Events around Dorset for National Marine Week

Here are the National Marine Week events taking place at Kimmeridge Bay, but for the full list of Dorset events, see www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/events.html

TUE 10th August ROCKPOOL RAMBLE

12 noon to 1.30 pm. Kimmeridge Bay, Kimmeridge, BH20 5PF.
Join Dorset Wildlife Trust at the best rockpooling site in Dorset; short walk involved; wear suitable sturdy footwear for the beach and rocks. Family event. Cost: £1.50 child, £3.00 adult. No unaccompanied children please. Meet at the WW2 pillbox on Kimmeridge Beach [SY 907792]. Weather dependent; phone 01929 481044 if weather looks doubtful.

WED 11th August NURDLE NERDS AND STRANDLINE SCAVENGERS

1.00 pm to 2.30 pm. The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, Kimmeridge, BH20 5PF. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust to learn about impacts of marine litter in the sea & help hunt for nurdles & strandline treasures. All equipment provided. Family event. Cost: £1.50 child, £3.00 adult. No unaccompanied children please. [SY 909787]. Wear suitable sturdy footwear for the beach and rocks. Weather dependent; phone 01929 481044 if weather looks doubtful.

THURS 12th August ROCKPOOL RAMBLE

1.30 to 3pm. Kimmeridge Bay, Kimmeridge, BH20 5PF.Join Dorset Wildlife Trust at the best rockpooling site in Dorset; short walk involved; wear suitable sturdy footwear for the beach and rocks. Family event. Cost: £1.50 child, £3.00 adult. No unaccompanied children please. Meet at the WW2 pillbox on Kimmeridge Beach [SY 907792]. Weather dependent; phone 01929 481044 if weather looks doubtful.

FRI 13th August SEASHORE SAFARI with Rockpool Revelations exhibition

1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, Kimmeridge, BH20 5PF. Join DWT and expert Judith Oakley to explore the shore and reveal the secrets behind her new book ‘Seashore Safaris’, the definitive guide to rocky and sandy shores. Adults £3, children £1.50.

SAT 14th August ECO-FRIENDLY CRABBING

2.30 pm to 4.00 pm. The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay, Kimmeridge, BH20 5PF. Join Dorset Wildlife Trust to learn how to catch and care for crabs without harm to other rockpool animals. Family event. Cost: £3.00 (includes your own crab kit, bait and equipment). No unaccompanied children please. Meet at the Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. [SY 909787]. Wear suitable sturdy footwear for the beach and rocks. Phone if weather looks doubtful.

For more details about marine events in Dorset visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk, ring 01929 481044 or visit Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Marine Centre at Kimmeridge Bay.