ISA Net was formed on World Food Day, October 16, 1997, to conduct campaigns with and assist non-governmental organizations from Asia, Africa, North and South America, Europe, and Australia addressing the impacts on local communities, economies, and ecosystems caused by the explosive growth of large-scale shrimp aquaculture. Representatives of environmental and community organizations from 14 nations organized ISA Net as an umbrella group that would support and encourage sustainable, responsible shrimp farming.
ISA Net's member-organizations from Asia, Latin America, North America, Africa, and Europe have pioneered and led the work, study, discussions and campaigns addressing irresponsible shrimp aquaculture and promoting wetlands conservation efforts in their regions.
Some of the members of ISANET were: Accion Ecologica, Coddeffagolf, Consumers' Association of Penang, Cornerhouse, East African Wildlife Society, Environmental Defense Fund, Forest Peoples Programme, Journalists For The Environment of Tanzania, Mangrove Action Project, Natural Resources and Defense Council, Nijera Kori, Bangladesh, Philippine Resource Centre, PREPARE, Small Fishers Federation, Sri Lanka, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Sierra Club of Canada , World Wildlife Fund International, Yadfon Association.