244Criteria—threatening processes

#### 244 Criteria—threatening processes 244 Criteria—threatening processes > > (1) For critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable ecological communities, there is, or there is observed, estimated, inferred or reasonably suspected to be, a historical, current or potential threatening process, or threatening processes affecting the ecological community. > > > (2) The Fisheries Scientific Committee must have regard to the following in determining the relevant extent of the effect of the threatening process or threatening processes— > > > > > (a) the number and nature of the threatening processes, > > > > > (b) the potential for synergistic effects between threatening processes, > > > > > (c) the extent of the threatening processes relative to the geographic distribution of the ecological community, > > > > > (d) the impact of the threatening processes on the diversity and quality of the ecological community’s habitat, > > > > > (e) the level of protection offered to the ecological community within existing reserve systems, other forms of refuge or by current management strategies.