Green Sea Turtle Welfare: Fibropapillomatosis in Hawaiian Waters

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a debilitating tumour disease affecting green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) worldwide, but reaching epidemic proportions in Hawaiian waters. The disease causes proliferating tumours on skin and eyes that impair swimming, feeding, and vision.

Key Facts

Fibropapillomatosis affects 50-70% of green sea turtles in some Hawaiian bays, particularly around Kailua-Kona and Kaneohe Bay
The disease is caused by chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5, potentially triggered by environmental pollution and algal toxins
Tumours grow on flippers, eyes, and around the mouth, eventually impeding feeding and causing starvation
Sea Turtle Inc. and NOAA rehabilitate hundreds of FP-affected turtles annually through surgical tumour removal
Hawaiian green turtle populations have recovered significantly since federal protection in 1978, but FP limits further recovery

Welfare Considerations

Turtles with advanced FP are visibly compromised: large tumours around the eyes cause near-blindness, impeding foraging. Flipper tumours reduce swimming efficiency, making affected turtles more vulnerable to boat strikes and predation. Severely affected turtles that strand on beaches are in distress from starvation and debilitation. Surgical tumour removal in rehabilitation improves survival rates but requires anaesthesia and recovery. Environmental stressors — nutrient pollution promoting algal blooms, immune suppression from marine pollution — appear to trigger disease progression in exposed turtles. Population-level welfare requires both water quality improvement and ongoing rehabilitation capacity.

What You Can Do

Support NOAA's green sea turtle rehabilitation and FP monitoring programs in Hawaii
Reduce nutrient pollution entering coastal waters through responsible fertiliser use and coastal land management
Observe sea turtles from a respectful distance — never touch or approach in the water
Donate to Sea Turtle Inc. and the Turtle Hospital for rehabilitation of FP-affected individuals
Support clean water advocacy in Hawaiian coastal communities to reduce pollution-driven FP triggers