About ISME

International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME)

ISME is an international non-profit and non-governmental scientific society, established in August 1990. ISME Headquarters is in Okinawa, Japan. ISME took over various initiatives and followed the lead given by earlier UNDP/UNESCO Regional Mangrove projects. Among other items, the Statutes of ISME indicates that "the Society shall collect, evaluate and disseminate information on mangrove ecosystems" and "promote international cooperation."

Since its inauguration in 1990, ISME has been carrying out its activities at a global level in the following three pathways, these are, in brief:
a) application of knowledge to particular situations;
b) training and education; and
c) exchange of necessary information.

ISME's activities have been supported with collaboration and links by a number of other organizations, universities, research institutes and local communities.

Our Mission

Through international cooperation, the Society collects, evaluates and disseminates information on mangrove ecosystems for the conservation, rational management and sustainable utilization of mangroves.

Activities

Activities of ISME are:

To promote studies of mangrove ecosystems;
To promote collection, evaluation and dissemination of information on mangrove ecosystems
To promote research, training and activities for sustainable management, rational utilization, rehabilitation and conservation of mangrove ecosystems;
To develop materials to enhance public awareness of the social, economic and ecological importance of mangrove ecosystems;
To organize and co-sponsor conferences, seminars, symposia and meetings, giving lectures and courses, publishing both scientific and popular articles;
To support and implement research projects and programmes;
To promote consultation and collaboration with other organizations (public and private) having related purposes; and,
To carry out any other activities considered appropriate for objectives of the Society.

More details of ongoing projects are here.

Charter for Mangroves

The Executive Committee of ISME at its first meeting decided to draft a Charter for Mangroves that complements a World Charter for Nature of the United Nations. ISME's Charter for Mangroves was first drafted in 1991, and finalized in 1992. The importance of the Charter for Mangroves lies in setting forth principles for the utilisation of mangrove ecosystems, to be reflected in the laws and practices, at local, national and international levels.

Current members of the Executive Committee

President : Prof. Sanit Aksornkoae (Thailand)

Adviser to the National Economics and Social Development Council (NESDC), Former Chairman of NESDC, Former Senator of Thailand, Former President of Thailand Environment Institute; Professor Emeritus of Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand

Prof. Sanit Aksornkoae (President of ISME) was Chairman of the National Economics and Social Development Council of Thailand (2018-2024).
Click here for details

For publications of Prof. Sanit, please visit Google Scholar and ResearchGate @
Google Scholar
Research Gate

Vice President : Prof. Dr. François Blasco（France）

Former Director of Laboratoire d'Ecologie Terrestre, France

For publications of Prof. Blasco, please visit Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar @
Semantic Scholar
Research Gate

Vice President : Prof. Norman C. Duke（Australia）

Centre for Marine Studies, James Cook University, Australia

For publications of Prof. Duke, please visit Google Scholar and Orcid @
Google Scholar
Orcid

Treasurer : Dr. Hung Tuck Chan（Malaysia）

Former Division Director, Forest Research Institute Malaysia

For publications of Dr. Chan, please visit Google Scholar and ResearchGate @
Google Scholar
Research Gate

Executive Director : Prof. Dr. Shigeyuki Baba (Japan)

Professor Emeritus, University of the Ryukyus, Japan, President of Japan Society for Mangroves

For publications of Prof. Baba, please visit Google Scholar and ResearchGate @
Google Scholar
Research Gate

The Executive Committee of ISME

The Executive Committee (EC) comprises the President, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and Executive Director. Members of the Executive Committee, except Executive Director, are elected by the members of ISME. The Executive Director is designated by the Executive Committee. In attendance are senior officers of the Secretariat.

ISME Executive Committee and staff

ISME General Assemblies

In the past, ISME held General Assemblies once in three years. According to the Revised Statutes 2011, ISME will hold future assemblies once in four years.

The following table shows the history of general assemblies and elected presidents of ISME:

General Assembly	Date	Venue	President
First	August 1990	Yokohama, Japan	Dr. M. S. Swaminathan (India)
Second	June 1993	Okinawa, Japan	Prof. Sanga Sabhasri (Thailand)
Third	August 1996	Hat Yai, Thailand	Prof. Sanga Sabhasri Dr. Marta Vannucci (Acting)
Fourth	September 1990	Bali, Indonesia	Prof. Aprilani Soegiarto (Indonesia)
Fifth	August 2002	Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam	Prof. Aprilani Soegiarto
Sixth	August 2005	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	Prof. Salif Diop (Senegal)
Seventh	August 2008	Bangkok, Thailand	Prof. Salif Diop
Eighth	September 2011	Sabah, Malaysia	Prof. Sanit Aksornkoae (Thailand)

ISME Brochure

The ISME's brochure is downloadable as a PDF file.

English Japanese

ISME Secretariat

International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems
c/o Faculty of Agriculture, Univ. of the Ryukyus,
Senbaru 1, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0129 Japan
TEL: (+81) 98-895-6601
FAX: (+81) 98-895-6602
E-MAIL: isme☆mangrove.or.jp (Please replace ☆ to @)