The Neritic Zone is one the layer or zone. The Neritic Zone is the shallow region of the ocean above the drop-off of the continental shelf, approximately 200 meters in depth.

Researchers propose a variety of factors causing the ocean to go darker, including algal blooms, changes in sea surface temperatures, and even artificial light.

This shelf includes the neritic zone, which is the part of the ocean closest to the coast, characterized by nutrient-rich waters and a high concentration of marine life.