The Australian pearling industry is based on the Pinctada maxima pearl oyster species.
In the East and South, hard-bottomed bays are more prevalent, and native oyster species required little more than management and harvesting.
In India, it is one of a number of commercially exploited oyster species.
Another issue of environmental harm is placing invasive or newly introduced oyster species in an unknown habitat that can cause more harm than good.
Therefore, it is important to correctly place oyster species in their respective habitats to prevent environmental harm to nearby oyster reefs.
Flat oysters, like all other oyster species, are filter feeders, feeding on, and taking in anything small enough to be filtered in their gills.
This led to the introduction of the Pacific Oyster, now the most cultivated oyster species, which some consider an invasive species.
Similar to other oyster species, once the Pacific oyster larvae find a suitable habitat, they attach to it permanently using cement secreted from a gland in their foot.
The forests also provide a habitat for spat settlement and development of oyster species.
Similar to other oyster species, once a Pacific oyster larva finds a suitable habitat, it attaches to it permanently using cement secreted from a gland in its foot.