What characterizes the pelagic zone of the ocean?

The pelagic zone of the ocean is characterized by its vast open waters, which are located away from the shore and above the ocean floor. This zone encompasses various depths and supports a diverse range of mid-water organisms that include fish, squid, and marine mammals. Many of these species are adapted to living in the water column, often exhibiting specialized behaviors and physiological features that allow them to thrive in this environment.

The pelagic zone is distinct from other oceanic zones in that it does not include the deep sea trenches or the ocean floor, which would represent the benthic zone. Additionally, coastal fishing primarily occurs in the neritic zone, where waters are shallower and more productive, and does not typically extend to the broader expanse of the pelagic zone. Furthermore, the pelagic zone is not the shallowest layer of the ocean; the surface layer, which is still part of the pelagic zone, can be many layers deep in terms of stratification, reinforcing its classification as an open ocean environment.