Waves break over coral reef off the coast of Mahe, the largest island of the Seychelles. <br /><br />The archipelago is among the African states with abundant, relatively untapped marine resources.
Seychelles on the sea shore —
Waves break over coral reef off the coast of Mahe, the largest island of the Seychelles.

The archipelago is among the African states with abundant, relatively untapped marine resources.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Groups including the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have outlined plans for efficient exploitation of marine resources, such as through the development of fisheries and aquaculture.
Casting the net —
Groups including the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have outlined plans for efficient exploitation of marine resources, such as through the development of fisheries and aquaculture.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The UNECA further highlight the possibilities for marine tourism, exemplified by the popular resorts in Egypt's Sinai peninsula.
Below the surface —
The UNECA further highlight the possibilities for marine tourism, exemplified by the popular resorts in Egypt's Sinai peninsula.
Ed Giles/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Coastal mining could also offer lucrative returns, such as in Madagascar's ilmenite projects.
Digging deep —
Coastal mining could also offer lucrative returns, such as in Madagascar's ilmenite projects.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Woman at Soumbedioune fish market, Senegal. West Africa's coastline offers ideal conditions for fishermen, but several issues are holding back a blue economy there.
Rich pickings —
Woman at Soumbedioune fish market, Senegal. West Africa's coastline offers ideal conditions for fishermen, but several issues are holding back a blue economy there.
Greenpeace
Foreign fleets are plundering the West African waters, limiting opportunities for local workers, and local fish stocks are diminishing.
Illegal fishing —
Foreign fleets are plundering the West African waters, limiting opportunities for local workers, and local fish stocks are diminishing.
Greenpeace
Another barrier to economic development is piracy, which has become a growth industry once again in East and West Africa.
Marine crime —
Another barrier to economic development is piracy, which has become a growth industry once again in East and West Africa.
MOHAMED DAHIR/AFP/Getty Images
Pollution is also damaging marine environments, particularly in West Africa and the Ivory Coast (pictured).
Contaminated goods —
Pollution is also damaging marine environments, particularly in West Africa and the Ivory Coast (pictured).
ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Governments have failed to control crime, exploitation and pollution alone. But coordinated action through groups such as the African Union could have better outcomes.
Weak governance —
Governments have failed to control crime, exploitation and pollution alone. But coordinated action through groups such as the African Union could have better outcomes.
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images