A plan submitted by environmentalists and endorsed by Environment Minister René Castro would set up a new protected area and grant park rangers more authority to stop poachers, among other changes.

[4] It was later revealed that the incident was intended as a warning for environmentalists to stay off the beaches, according to WIDECAST's Latin American director Didiher Chacón.

[10] Jairo Mora was a research assistant who worked for Paradero Eco-Tour, a state-sponsored animal rescue group run by Vanessa Lizano.

"[14] After a May 6 incident where poachers stole a large number of nests, Limón police and the Coast Guard began patrolling Moín Beach more thoroughly.

[7] On the evening of May 30, 2013, Mora and four female volunteers – three from the United States and one from Spain – were patrolling Moín Beach in Limón province, Costa Rica.

[7] At approximately 11:30 pm Mora stepped out of his jeep to move a tree trunk and was ambushed by at least five masked men carrying guns.

[16] The United Nations released a statement sending condolences and recognizing Mora's "noble work" to protect "an essential part of Costa Rica's and the world's biodiversity.

"[4] Todd Steiner, executive director of the Turtle Island Restoration Network raised money for a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.

[19] Mora death raised fears that the country's economy would be hurt by reduced tourism, leading Univision to describe the situation as "an internal crisis".

[3] Commentary published by the Costa Rican Times alleged that the true culprits would never be found, saying whoever was blamed would be a scapegoat offered up by the drug traffickers.

[6] The government "is happy letting the Caribbean side of Costa Rica lose all tourism" continued the commentary by Dan Stevens.

[20] Mora's death, suggested the author, shows that "the drug traffickers are winning", that crime is out of control in Limón, and that "the bad guys operate with near impunity.

[21] On June 3, Vice President Alfio Piva described Mora's death as an "accident" due to Limón's high crime rate on live TV.

"[22] Despite rainy weather, hundred of people showed up to carry signs, light candles, and place stuffed turtles on the beach.

[24] Among those in attendance were Roberto Molina, secretary general of the Environmental Ministry's labor union, and José Lino Chavez, Vice Minister of Waters and Oceans.

[24] On June 6, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founder Paul Watson offered an additional $30,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Mora's murderer.

[27] In early July, Costa Rican businessman Roy Rivera said he was working to raise funds to increase the information reward.

[25] "The authorities were very quick to respond to Japan and issued an arrest warrant for the protection of sharks ... however, when it comes to a horrible murder of a compassionate conservationist, the government does nothing.

"This crime, in the Limón province, has shaken the consciousnesses of many internationally," wrote Ruben Arvizú, the society's Latin American director.

[19] On June 18, Costa Rican rapper Yaco released a song entitled "Playa Roja" (Red Beach) about Mora.

A declaration from the Mexican delegation read, "As sea turtles are a shared resource, criminal activity that prevents [on-site] protection efforts from taking place in one country presents an urgent concern to all range states.

[8] Aimee Leslie, who oversees sea turtle efforts for the World Wildlife Foundation called the situation "a critical point for conservation" in Costa Rica and "a national security issue.

"[12] Prompted by the death of Mora, dozens of environmentalists met with the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAE), headed by René Castro, to discuss their dissatisfaction with current conservation efforts on June 4.

Their requests included punishing those responsible for Mora's death, greater criminal penalties for poaching, and more efforts by MINAE to fight egg poachers.

MINAE also plans to allocate "specialized units" armed with equipment to protect Costa Rica's coasts from environmental threats.

Jorge Molina, president of The Southern Caribbean Tourism Chamber, said Mora's death was affecting reservations and would likely continue to do so for several months.

Aurora Gámez, who owns a Manzanillo Beach hotel, said her occupancy rate normally runs at 50% in June, but was at just 10% in the weeks after Mora's death.

[38] On July 31, Costa Rican police raided several locations near Moín and the city of Limón, and arrested several suspects believed to be involved in Mora's murder, as well as other crimes, including robbery and turtle egg poaching.

Four of the men were, however, sentenced to lengthy prison terms due to assault, kidnapping and aggravated robbery for a crime that occurred on the same beach shortly before Mora's murder.

The inaugural Award was given, posthumously to Jairo Mora Sandoval at the 2016 IMCC in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, with his mother receiving the funds to set up an NGO to continue his work to protect the sea turtles of Costa Rica.