The Fiji Sago palm, Soga (Metroxylon vitiense) is one example of a species in the region whose conservation and survival is heavily dependent on the development and implementation of a species recovery plan. Soga is ende- mic to Fiji with natural populations only occurring on the islands of Viti Levu and Ovalau (NFMV 2008a; NFMV
2008b; Rounds 2007; Watling 2005). Historically, it has always been a species with a very restricted distribution – a
60 km coastline and its hinterland in southeast Viti Levu.
Despite its small geographic range, Soga was once abun- dant throughout the Navua and Rewa River Deltas on Viti Levu (Southern 1986; Seeman 1862). Today, only 15 iso- lated populations ([0.5 ha) survive in the area, most of which are significantly threatened by habitat destruction and unsustainable harvesting (NFMV 2008a).
Due to its restricted distribution, aspects of its biology and threats from habitat destruction and harvesting, Soga has been classified as Endangered using IUCN criteria with its species assessment currently under review with IUCN. It is not included on the list of endangered species pro- tected by national legislation in Fiji or any other interna- tional lists. Recently (2007–2008), wide-ranging field surveys and consultation with landowners, harvesters and users (thatch and palm heart) have enabled the production of a species recovery plan for Soga.
This recovery plan has been accepted by the Fiji Gov- ernment to improve the status of Soga in the country and manage its conservation and sustainable use by local communities. This profile paper summarizes the recovery plan, including the decision on whether to pursue a com- plete ban or a sustainable harvesting approach, discusses its bearing on the conservation of Soga in Fiji and the importance of species recovery plans for biodiversity conservation in the Pacific. In addition, we discuss the need for extensive involvement of local landowning communi- ties in all stages of the recovery plan development process, including community co-management, particularly in areas where local communities are the landowners.