Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

This paper examines the range of development problems prevalent in the states of the Western Indian Ocean. Then the problems are juxtaposed against the terrestrial and marine natural resources as well as the physical infrastructure to explain the possible role of the resources in the development process. Among the resources examined are fisheries and minerals and some of the problems inherent in their management. Thereafter, the environmental problems which arise in the course of the management efforts are examined. These include the degradation of marine environment, including pollution from land based sources and those arising from marine transportation, exploitation of marine resources and from engineering and military activities. The final section outlines an annotated profile of research agenda on both development and the environment.