Final answer:
The statement is generally false, as the Subtropical Convergence in the Southern Ocean leads to upwelling that supports high productivity, although most other parts of the open ocean are less productive due to nutrient scarcity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The region of the open ocean where the north and south equatorial currents meet is often associated with lower nutrients and supports less diverse and abundant marine life. This statement is generally false considering the context of the Southern Ocean's northern boundary, which is marked by the Subtropical Convergence. Here, the cold, dense waters from the Southern Ocean meet the warmer waters of other oceans creating a zone of upwelling and mixing conducive to high levels of productivity. However, in most parts of the open ocean or oceanic zone, nutrients can be scarce and the marine biome is less productive. This is because the organic nutrients that could fertilize the water column often remain at the bottom of the ocean after organisms die. Major exceptions to this include areas of upwelling, such as the Humboldt Current, where nutrients are brought to the surface, supporting a rich marine ecosystem.