The idea for the association has its genesis in a keynote address by Professor Ronald Phillips at the Third International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW3) in 1998.
At ISBW4 (Corsica, 2 October 2000) the following members founded the World Seagrass Association.
| Founding Members | |
|---|---|
| Miguel Fortes (Philippines) | President |
| Frederick Short (USA) | Vice President |
| Rob Coles (Australia) | Secretary |
| Maria Cristina Buia (Italy) | Treasurer |
| Diana Walker (Australia) | Public Relations |
| Hitoshi Iizumi (Japan) | Auditor |
| Evamaria Koch (USA) | Member |
| John Kuo (Australia) | Member |
| Silvia Ibarra Obando (Mexico) | Member |
| Gerard Pergent (Corsica) | Member |
| Len McKenzie (Australia) | Member |
The World Seagrass Association was then formally incorporated on 2 October 2002.
| President | |
|---|---|
| Miguel Fortes | 2002–2004 |
| Fred Short | 2004–2006 |
| Michelle Waycott | 2006–2010 |
| Giuseppe Di Carlo | 2010–2014 |
| Richard Unsworth | 2014–2016 |
| Mike van Keulen | 2016–2018 |
| Vice-President | |
| Fred Short | 2002–2004 |
| Miguel Fortes | 2004–2006 |
| Fred Short | 2006–2008 |
| Jud Kenworthy | 2008–2010 |
| Richard Unsworth | 2010–2014 |
| Mike van Keulen | 2014–2016 |
| Jessie Jarvis | 2016–2018 |
| Treasurer | |
| Maria Cristina Buia | 2002–2004 |
| Len McKenzie | 2004–2006 |
| Gloria Peralta Gonzalez | 2006–2008 |
| Jane Mellors | 2008–2010 |
| Siti Yaakub | 2010–2012 |
| Jessie Jarvis | 2012–2016 |
| Lina Mtwana Nordlund | 2016–2018 |
| Secretary | |
| Rob Coles | 2002–2006 |
| Len McKenzie | 2006–present |
| Immediate-Past President | |
| Michelle Waycott | 2010–2012 |
| Giuseppe Di Carlo | 2014–2016 |
| Richard Unsworth | 2016–2018 |
| Assistant Treasurer | |
| Jane Mellors | 2006–2008 |
| Jane Mellors | 2010–2012 |
| Helen Taylor | 2012–2014 |