Green turtles are overharvested in many areas for both their meat and eggs (8). The meat is highly prized and the cartilage underneath the plastron (known as 'calipee') is used in the production of turtle soup (2). In addition, as with other marine turtles, these reptiles are accidentally caught in bycatch of the fishing industry (8). One of the most worrying threats in recent years has been an increase in fibropapillomas; fibrous tumours that can grow on almost any part of a turtles body, impeding movement or sight, and often leading to death (6). Very little is known about the disease, which is believed to be a virus, and its prominence varies amongst different populations, although there may be a link with coastal areas of heavy human use (9).