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— > > > > > > > (i) expert advice, > > > > > > > (ii) anecdotal information where there is independent verification, > > > > > > > (iii) written evidence, especially of a historical nature, > > > > > > > (iv) any other corroborating evidence.