Possible interpretation problems for the current CITES listing criteria inthe 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 spe cies context, as identified by an FAO ad hoc Expert Group meeting in Novemb er 1998. Three aspects of the criteria that are of concern to the author ar e discussed briefly. These are the definition of a "decline," specification s for taking account of uncertainty, and the desirability of using existing stock-recruitment data for marine fish species to estimate the spawning bi omass level at which critical depensation might occur. This last would prov ide guidance in specifying resource levels at which there is a threat of ex tinction when reformulating the CITES criteria.