Possible interpretation problems for the current CITES listing criteria in the context of marine fish species under commercial harvest

The current criteria for listing species on CITES Appendices are summarized briefly. A precis is given of problems with these criteria in a marine species context, as identified by an FAO ad hoc Expert Group meeting in November 1998. Three aspects of the criteria that are of concern to the author are discussed briefly. These are the definition of a "decline," specifications for taking account of uncertainty, and the desirability of using existing stock-recruitment data for marine fish species to estimate the spawning biomass level at which critical depensation might occur. This last would provide guidance in specifying resource levels at which there is a threat of extinction when reformulating the CITES criteria.