Hundreds of protesters launched a demonstration during the Save the Golfo Dulce Festival against a proposed tuna farm at the end of May in the small Central American coastal town of Pavones in the Costa Rican province of Puntarenas.
"This is an issue that affect us all," Lisa Thrash, event co-ordinator, told the Tico Times. "This is the first time we have all come together on this issue."
The Environment, Energy and Telecommunications Ministry approved the construction of the tuna farm on April 30.
Environmentalists opposing the scheme were worried that the tuna farm's operations would have a detrimental impact on the Golfo Dulce ecosystem due to the high concentration of fish feces and food waste flowing into the gulf.
Jorge Ballestera, a biologist from the Marine Turtle Restoration Programme urged protestors to sign a petition which he said would be send to the president.