The Ankivonjy Marine Protected Area (MPA) (IUCN category V) covers 7 fokontany (municipalities) with almost 3,700 inhabitants dependent on fishing, agriculture and tourism for their livelihood and development. It was handicapped by the absence of a local funding mechanism to support co-management activities. In addition, access to financial services (banking, microfinance) was limited, as the nearest branches are in Nosy Be and Ambanja, at least 2 hours away by pirogue. In addition, the poor use of financial resources by households living along the MPA and the absence of a savings culture increased fishing effort.

The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Ankivonjy Association set up the caisse bleue – a sustainable community financing mechanism comprising, among other things, a system of savings and credit by groups of up to 30 individuals with 3 funds: savings, social and a fund for the management of the MPA.