In June 2019, FORCE BLUE Partnered with the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, the Loggerhead Marine Life Center, the Inwater Research Group and Florida Atlantic University to embark on a first-of-its kind mission to study the spread of Fibropapillomatosis (FP) amongst the Green Turtles of Florida.

Green Sea Turtle Survey

Devastating Disease

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease that affects sea turtles around the globe, but which has been particularly prevalent in the waters around Florida. The disease causes tumor growth in affected turtles, with the tumors often spreading to the eyes, blinding the turtles and making them unable to feed themselves or avoid boat strikes.

Resilience

Over the course of its 10-day mission, FORCE BLUE veterans wrangled and tested 27 turtles, the majority of which were infected by the disease and three of which had to be immediately rushed to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon for life-saving treatment. Though the data gained in this mission was invaluable, the effort to combat FP remains ongoing.

Force Blue in Action