The environmental science surrounding the undersea world is being revealed in fascinating detail at Weymouth Sea Life Park all this week.

Visitors are able to explore a ‘virtual seafloor’ and handle archaeological artefacts brought to the surface, ranging from prehistoric flint tools to a Second World War machine gun.

The event will look ‘in depth’ at how dredging affects the underwater world. Nearly six million metric tonnes of marine sand and gravel are unloaded in London every day.

“Dredging obviously has implications for marine life, as well as for archaeological features like shipwrecks,” said Sea Life boss Nicola Hamilton.

“That’s where the science comes in. Our guests will be members of the Explore the Seafloor team from Wessex Archaeology. They will be exploring the results of four regional surveys that investigated seabed habitats and archaeological features to better understand the possible effects of dredging.”

The dredging is confined to a handful of licensed areas around England and Wales, and together they add up to only 0.15-per-cent of the UK continental shelf.

Funding for the monitoring and research comes from Marine Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund.

Now the team has organised an Explore the Seafloor roadshow, which is also visiting six other Sea Life centres this summer, to raise awareness of the work being done.

“We’ll be getting youngsters involved by dressing them up as archaeologists, dredging industry staff and marine scientists,” said one of the organisers, Gemma Ingason.

“We’ll be showing them brightly coloured sonar maps revealing the contours of the seabed and then seeing if they can find the matching model by touch – in boxes they can only get one hand inside.”

What's on

Events can be subject to change/ cancellation due to weather or operational restraints and conditions. Please contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01305 785747 before travelling.

THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER

Punch and Judy Show: Enjoy some traditional entertainment this summer – noon, 2pm or 3.30pm showing on Weymouth beach throughout the summer holidays.

RSPB Radipole Lake and Arne: Keep the kids busy during the summer holidays, bring them along to Radipole Lake or Arne anytime during the school holidays and let them run wild. Bird bingo and wildlife explorer backpacks will be available for hire all summer. Contact Radipole Lake on 01305 778313 or Arne on 01929 553360.

Haunted Harbour Tour: Every Wednesday throughout the year, weather permitting. Discover the long forgotten haunts of history around the famous Old Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Harbour. Many of the harbourside Inns have reputed haunted happenings and sightings. Contact 01305 775506.

JULY

Until 30: Optimist National Sailing Championships, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA). Visit www.wpnsa.org.uk

Until 30: Weymouth Lifeboat Week. Visit www.weymouthlifeboat.com

Until 15 August: Turtle conservation weeks at Weymouth Sea Life Park. Normal entry fees apply. Visit www.sealife.co.uk

28: Bustinskin Aquathlon Series, Bowleaze Cove, 7pm to 9pm. Visit www.bustinskin.com

30: Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Victoria Gardens on Portland, 11am to 1pm.

30 July-1 August: RAF Careers Beach Volleyball Classic – Weymouth Beach. Visit www.weymouthbeachvolleyball.co.uk

31: Gooseberry Fayre, Weston Road, Portland.

AUGUST

2, 9, 23 and 30: Fireworks and entertainment, Weymouth seafront

2, 9, 23, 30: Summertime open evenings, the Nothe Fort. Visit www.nothefort.org.uk

3: Mini beasts and dragons, RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve, 10am to 1pm. Contact 01305 778313

4: Bustinskin Aquathlon Series, Bowleaze Cove at 7pm to 9pm. Visit www.bustinskin.com

7: Mad about Moths, RSPB Radipole Lake Nature Reserve, 8am to 10am. Contact 01305 778313.

7 and 8: Nothe Fort 150th Anniversary. Visit www.nothefort.org.uk

9 to 14: Weymouth Art Group Annual Art Exhibition, Weymouth Library. Contact 01305 76241811

11: Bustinskin Aquathlon Series at Bowleaze Cove, 7pm to 9pm. Visit www.bustinskin.com

11: Go batty, RSPB Radipole Lake nature reserve between 7.45pm and 9.45pm. Contact 01305 778313

14: Summer Fete, Easton Gardens, Portland, 10am to 4pm

15: British Heart Foundation Hearts First Swim at Weymouth Bay. Visit www.bhf.org.uk

16 August to 5 September: Shark conservation weeks, Weymouth Sealife Park. Normal entry fees apply. Visit www.sealife.co.uk

17 to 30: Matchstick Fleet – Nothe Fort. Website: www.nothefort.org.uk normal entrance fee applies.

17 to 19: RAF Town Show at Weymouth Pavilion forecourt.

17: Nature Detectives at RSPB Radipole Lake, 10 am-1pm, 01305 778313

18: Weymouth Carnival at Weymouth Seafront

18: Weymouth Carnival Night Fireworks at 9.30pm at Weymouth Bay

20: St Martin’s Broadmayne Community Market in St Martin’s Community Hall from 2pm to 3.30pm

21: Midnight Walk on Weymouth Esplanade. Visit www.weld-hospice.org.uk

21 to 27: Dart World Sailing Championships, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA). Visit www.wpnsa.org.uk

22 to 28: Weymouth and Portland Open Bowls Tournament. Taking place in various bowls clubs throughout the borough. Visit www.weymouthbowlstourney.co.uk

25: Family Wildlife Walk at RSPB Radipole. Between 10am and noon. Contact 01305 778313

25: Bustinskin Aquathlon Series at Bowleaze Cove, 7pm to 9pm. Visit www.bustinskin.com

28 to 31: IC National Sailing Championships at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA). Visit www.wpnsa.org.uk

29: Run 4 Your Grub at Weymouth Beach. Contact 01305 826826

29: Annual Dragon Boat Racing at Weymouth Bay between 10am to 4pm

29: Garden Party at Portland Museum. Free entry from 1.30pm