243Criteria—reduction in ecological function, geographic distribution or genetic diversity

243 Criteria—reduction in ecological function, geographic distribution or genetic diversity

243 Criteria—reduction in ecological function, geographic distribution or genetic diversity

(1) It is observed, estimated, inferred or reasonably suspected that the ecological community has undergone, or is likely to undergo, within a time frame appropriate to the life cycle and habitat characteristics of the component species—

(a) for critically endangered ecological communities—an extremely large reduction in 1 or more of the following—

(i) ecological function,

(ii) geographic distribution,

(iii) genetic diversity, or

(b) for endangered ecological communities—a very large reduction in 1 or more of the following—

(i) ecological function,

(ii) geographic distribution,

(iii) genetic diversity, or

(c) for vulnerable ecological communities—a large reduction in 1 or more of the following—

(i) ecological function,

(ii) geographic distribution,

(iii) genetic diversity.

(2) The Fisheries Scientific Committee must have regard to the following in determining the extent of the reduction referred to in subclause (1)—

(a) the rate of and trends in the reduction,

(b) the resilience of the ecological community in relation to current or potential threatening processes,

(c) evidence of recovery of the ecological community following the introduction of protection measures or changes to management strategies,

(d) assessment of the probability of extinction,

(e) the precautionary principle, namely, that if there are threats of serious or irreversible damage to the ecological community, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent that damage,

(f) other supporting information, including the following—