Oysters have been cultivated at least since Roman times, by growing them off of the bottom on rafts and strings. Today, oysters are grown all over the world, using a variety of methods, predominantly off-bottom. In Japan, one of the largest oyster producers, cultivation methods include rafts, lantern nets, and longlines. In Australia, another large oyster-producer, sticks and trays are used. In France and England, oysters are cultivated on off-bottom posts, in mesh nets, and on longlines.
Mussels are one of the easiest species of shellfish to grow.
Although extremely popular in Europe, on the U.S. West Coast, and in Maine, mussel culture is limited in Massachusetts. The bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, differs from the soft clam, the quahog, the oyster, and the mussel in several respects of significance to the aquaculturist. It has more rapid growth, a shorter life-span, and is less likely to transmit disease to human consumers if taken from contaminated areas. It is also harder to adapt to cultivation Scallops are subject to attack from several predatory bottom species, notably the starfish and the oyster drill, again making off-bottom techniques the culture of choice for scallops.