The decline of the sea turtles

Davidson, O. G. (2002) Fire in the turtle house: the green sea turtle and the fate of the ocean. Public Affairs, New York, USA. xii + 258 pp., black and white photographs, bibliography, index. Hardback: price US$ 26.00, ISBN 1-58648-000-6. Fire in the turtle house by Osha Gray Davidson concerns the rising incidence of fibropapillomatosis (FP) in sea turtles around the world. A tumour-forming disease, FP was initially observed in the green turtle and, although nowadays it is still more common in green turtles, its incidence varies remarkably within and among six of the seven species of sea turtles. In this debilitating disease, multiple tumours can be found externally and internally, usually forming on the eyes, neck, mouth and flippers, ranging in diameter from a few mm to 20 cm. FP in Hawaiian green turtles results in reduced vision, disorientation, reduced ability to swim and feed, and an apparent increased susceptibility to parasitism. It has also been suggested that FP can cause severe emaciation, increased predation by tiger sharks and people, and probably a reduced ability to migrate and breed successfully (Balazs, 1986). As with his previous books, Davidson manages to present a somewhat specialized subject in a well-researched book that is an enjoyable read. Presented in 13 relatively short chapters, the book starts with Davidson's first emotional encounter with sea turtles in Hawaii and his first sight of a turtle with FP. He then sets the scene with a variety of subjects, culminating in the shocking statistics of FP prevalence and the current efforts to deduce its cause. This book is especially attractive to sea turtle enthusiasts, as it follows the careers of a few well-known sea turtle biologists, through their trials and tribulations to the present day. For the general reader, although the focus is on FP, a context of more general environmental problems is provided. The book starts in the New York aquarium in the 1930s where FP was first observed. We are then moved to the Hawaiian Islands where a well-known turtle biologist picked up the FP gauntlet. After this there follows a somewhat depressing tour of destruction of various terrestrial and aquatic populations, for example the rapid extinction of the buffalo, passenger pigeon and Steller's sea cow; the account of the latter case is particularly instructive. Davidson provides a chronicle of sea turtle hunting and suggests that this, in conjunction with environmental pollution and fishing methods, may explain the low numbers of turtles found today. Subsequent chapters cover the concurrent recognition of FP in turtles from Hawaii and the Indian River Lagoon in Florida, and the attempts to find out its cause. We are provided with information about other marine epidemics, such as viral infections in seals and dolphins, bleaching in corals, and the direct relationship between infection severity and the amount of human disturbance. This link is made again later, when it is shown that FP incidence within some turtle populations has reached 100% infection rate. Davidson infers here that such variation is associated with the level of human disturbance. The book attempts to end on a somewhat positive note, with comments made from all the major researchers investigating FP. Nevertheless, the nature of this disease leaves me feeling that there is little to celebrate; instead, Davidson falls back on emotional comments to try to leave the reader with an optimistic hope. Personally, I was surprised that, although much work has been done, our knowledge of FP is still so inadequate, and that it is still so difficult to obtain funding. If nothing more, therefore, this book informs fellow turtle biologists of the need for further investigation into this ugly disease. For those readers who are not directly involved in turtle work, the book provides an insight into sea turtle biology and other environmental topics. Although the text is well researched and accurate, my only complaint concerns a lack of referencing throughout, making it hard to trace the supporting evidence for the statements made. Nevertheless, I recommend this book as a valuable read, certainly a book to have on the bed stand. Proceeds from this book go towards the Turtle House Foundation (www.turtlehousefoundation.org), which provides financial and material support for researchers working on FP.

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