What is "neritic zone"

n. the ocean waters from the low tide mark to a depth of about 100 fathoms

The neritic zone is the relatively shallow part of the ocean above the drop-off of the continental shelf, approximately in depth. From the point of view of marine biology it forms a relatively stable and well-illuminated environment for marine life, from plankton up to large fish and corals, while physical oceanography sees it as where the oceanic system interacts with the coast.