Marine Life

Marine Turtle Fibropapillomatosis

Fibropapillomatosis is a debilitating disease affecting sea turtles, linked to environmental degradation and pollution.

Key Facts

Fibropapillomatosis causes large tumors on eyes, flippers, and internal organs
The disease disproportionately affects green turtles in polluted coastal waters
Herpesvirus infection combined with environmental stressors drives disease expression
Rehabilitation centers treat hundreds of affected turtles annually

Welfare Considerations

Fibropapillomatosis causes profound suffering: tumors obstruct vision, impair swimming, and burden internal organs. Affected turtles struggle to feed and evade predators. The disease reflects environmental degradation — polluted waters, nutrient runoff, and climate change create conditions favoring disease expression. Treating individual turtles helps, but prevention requires addressing environmental root causes.

What You Can Do

Support coastal water quality improvement to reduce turtle disease risk
Reduce nutrient and chemical runoff from personal and community activities
Support sea turtle rehabilitation programs treating fibropapillomatosis
Advocate for coastal development restrictions that protect turtle habitat quality