Additionally, UWSN technologies are vulnerable to various attacks, namely wormhole, spoofing, jamming, flooding, and various other attacks, which act as a real threat to secured IoUT implementations, where the frameworks need to function in harsh communication conditions. The study in [23] focused on mitigating the security risks and challenges in the use of UWSNs in IoUT implementations. It is evident from all the aforementioned reviews that an optimal communication network is a necessity for the successful implementation of IoUT applications. The study in [24] highlighted the challenges associated with the physical, Medium Access Control (MAC), and network layers while designing optimal IoUT networks. A huge variability in the underwater ecosystem exists, and hence, detailed knowledge about the prevailing underwater regional profiles makes it a necessity. The understanding of the profiles enables the constraints to be addressed for achieving optimized performance in IoUT networks and their deployment. The study in [25] highlighted the need for efficient environmental monitoring considering the perspective of smart cities and recent natural disasters that have impacted the globe. Research related to UWSNs and the IoUT have also gained momentum due to the same reason, especially in the development of tethered Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROUVs), untethered Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Unmanned Autonomous Surface Vehicles (USVs/ASVs), and various other smart underwater technologies. This study conducted a systematic bibliographic analysis of the various studies conducted globally on UWSN implementations in the IoUT prioritizing the African region. The study finally concluded by directing possible technical recommendations in the successful actualization of IoUT and WSN research projects in the African region. The study in [16] discussed the role of the IoUT as a powerful technology in developing various applications relevant to naval operations, military services, maritime security, natural disaster prediction, and archaeological expeditions. This study introduced an IoUT network framework which works in naturally heterogeneous and unpredictable ocean conditions. The enabling technologies of the IoUT such as channel models, network protocols, topologies, and simulation tools and the use of edge computing, data analytics, Optical Wireless Communications (OWCs), machine learning, and Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRSs) were discussed. The study in [26] presented a comprehensive survey of various unmanned underwater vehicles that use technologies such as cognitive acoustic networks, fog computing, the IoUT, and distinct next-generation underwater networks. These vehicles include ray tracing models that enable target detection and tracking, which are primarily used by military forces. The study in [27] initially discussed the role of acoustic, InfraRed (IR), visible light, Radio-Frequency (RF), and magnetic induction in transmitting information using digitally linked underwater devices. However, these media have their associated challenges relevant to the narrow channel bandwidth, low data rate, and higher cost. Similarly, the optical medium has the associated challenges of high absorption, scattering, and long-distance data transmission. Furthermore, the possibility of malicious nodes stealing underwater data through black hole attacks, routing attacks, and Sybil attacks exists. In [27], an extensive review of the recent trends, applications, communication technologies, challenges, and threats of the UIoT environment are presented. Each of the reviewed articles emphasized recent trends, technologies, applications, use cases, and the challenges associated with IoUT applications. The comparison of this survey with existing surveys is summarized in Table 1. The knowledge gained from the review of these articles reveals the need for an extensive review article focusing on security, the privacy of data, and also, the data transmission in IoUT frameworks.