The Pelagic Shelf.

The continental shelf is the submerged perimeter of the continents, acting as the ocean's sunlit nursery.

This region, also known as the Neritic zone, rarely exceeds 200 meters in depth. Because sunlight can penetrate the entire water column to the seafloor, it allows for massive growth of phytoplankton—the foundation of the marine food web. Over 90% of the world's fish harvest comes from these shallow waters.

The transition at the edge of the shelf is dramatic. The shelf break marks the point where the seafloor begins to plunge into the deep ocean. This drop-off creates powerful upwellings, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water from the depths to the surface, fueling incredible biodiversity.