many organisms live in oceans. organisms that live in oceans can live in salt water. they are affected by sunlight, temperature, water pressure, and water movement. different ocean organisms live near the surface, in shallow waters, and in deep waters. small plant organisms that live near the surface and use sunlight to produce food are called phytoplankton. almost all animals in the ocean depend directly or indirectly on these plants. in shallow water, you may find lobsters and crabs. in deeper water, marine animals of many different shapes and sizes swim through the ocean. these include many types of fish, such as tuna, swordfish and marine mammals like dolphins and whales. the skies above the open ocean are home to large sea birds, such as the albatross.