Fibropapillomatosis is a virus that primarily affects green sea turtles.  It is often a fatal disease, with many turtles dying from organ failure, an inability to feed themselves and/or complete blindness.  It is believed that nitrogen run-off from agriculture, golf courses and homes has contributed significantly to this disease.  Snorkelers off of Maui’s coasts will inevitably run into turtles afflicted with these tumors, especially if they are snorkeling off the most developed areas of the South and West coasts.    A warning: some of these images are disturbing.  For images, please click on the tumored turtle above.  For more information and links to current research on the virus, please click here.