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WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The 16th International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW16) & 2027 World Seagrass Conference (WSC2027) will take place in Abu Dhabi, 22-26 March 2027 and will include presentations, working sessions and practical field sessions

The International Seagrass Biology Workshops (ISBW) are biennial meetings of the World Seagrass Association (WSA). The aim is always to help answer ongoing global research on seagrass and provide a space to describe and foster positive management outcomes for these ever more stressed coastal seagrass environments.

In 2027, delegates can expect a dynamic programme created around the theme of seagrass resilience, featuring cutting-edge science, hands-on field experiences, innovative technologies, and opportunities to explore Abu Dhabi’s unique seagrass meadows and restoration initiatives.



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Attendance and Support

ISBW16 and WSC2027 welcomes WSA members and the broad community of people working to understand, protect, and restore seagrass ecosystems. This includes scientists, students, conservation practitioners, restoration specialists, coastal managers, policy makers, NGOs, community groups, and anyone engaged in seagrass-related research, monitoring, governance, or education. Delegates will have the opportunity to present their work, exchange ideas, build collaborations, and learn from global best practices in seagrass science and management.

Learn about Abu Dhabi, the host city for ISBW16, and travelling to the United Arab Emirates.

Delegates who require financial support for travel or accommodation expenses will be able to indicate this during registration, and details on available assistance will be shared as part of the registration process.

ISBW History

In response to the extensive decline of Zostera marina in the Northern hemisphere starting from the 1930s onwards, along with losses of other seagrass species, scientists convened in Fairbanks, Alaska in early 1973 to establish global coordination for seagrass research. This led to the first International Seagrass Workshop being organized and held in Leiden, The Netherlands, later that year.

The next international gathering for seagrass scientists took place in 1981 during the 13th International Botanical Congress in Sydney, Australia. Professor Tony Larkum from Sydney University organized a one-day seagrass workshop during this event. By the time of the workshop and the subsequent aquatic angiosperm session at the Congress, an international approach to seagrass research and related issues was well advanced.

In 1993, the 15th International Botanical Congress was scheduled for Yokohama, Japan. However, as there was no seagrass session listed, Professors Keiko Aioi of the University of Tokyo and John Kuo, University of Western Australia took the initiative to organize a three-day seagrass workshop in Kominato, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. This meeting marked the inception of the International Seagrass Biology Workshop Series that continues to the present day. During the meeting, participants agreed on the importance of organising additional meetings that would focus on global seagrass issues and areas of high seagrass biodiversity. It was also decided that these meetings would be convened at two-year intervals.

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Previous ISBW

  • ISBW 15: Napoli, Italy, 17–21 June, 2024
  • ISBW 14: Chesapeake Bay, USA, 9–14 August 2020
  • ISBW 13, and World Seagrass Conference: Singapore. 11–17 June 2018.
  • ISBW 12: Nant Gwrtheyrn, Wales. 17–23 October 2016.
  • ISBW 11: Sanya, China. 7–10 November 2014.
  • ISBW 10: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 25–30 November 2012.
  • ISBW 9: Phuket–Trang, Phuket & Trang, Thailand. 21–30 November 2010.
  • ISBW 8: British Columbia, Canada. August – September 2008.
  • ISBW 7: Zanzibar, Tanzania. 10–16 September 2006.
  • ISBW 6, and the Seagrass 2004 conference: Townsville and Magnetic Island, Australia. 24 September – 1 October 2004.
  • ISBW 5: Ensenada, México. 7–11 October 2002.
  • ISBW 4: Corsica, France. 25 September – 1 October 2000.
  • ISBW 3: Pangasinan, Philippines. 19–26 April 1998.
  • ISBW 2: Rottnest Island, Perth, Australia. 25–29 January 1996.
  • ISBW 1: Kominato, Japan. 24–26 August 1993.