This would involve the introduction of a ban on the commercial sale of these species pending extensive awareness raising,after which they could be considered for total protection. Since then and despite the recommendations for a protective mechanism, Sago has received no conservation management at all, and unlike Fiji’s other endemic palms it is not protected under the Endangered Species Protection Act(2002). As Sago was never a part of the traditional agricultural or agro-ecological system in Fiji like palms in neighboring countries such as Vanuatu and Samoa, it was seen as expendable in the face of demand for the land on which it occurred for other purposes. Consequently, Sago was not considered seriously endangered until the results of an MSc thesis by Isaac Rounds (2007) demonstrated that the rush for sago palm thatch for the tourism industry had led to massive unsustainable harvesting and a significant decline in population size and viability.