Why is it mainly oysters and mussels that are farmed commercially?
Mussels and oysters are the most popular cultured shellfish. This is due mainly to the high market demand for these shellfish, their high fecundity, high survival rates and accessibility of wild and hatchery reared seed. A significant amount of research has been done around the world on a these shellfish which has resulted in a wealth of knowledge about their life cycles, and this knowledge has lead to improved production practices for mussels and oysters. Cultured scallops and clams are available, as are specialty sea urchin products and geoducks. Other species, including several species of clams and abalone are in various stages of development and will become more readily available in the market once culture techniques for these animals are more advanced.
