Although oyster farmers today employ a number of different techniques, tray & stick cultivation remain the most common. Because plastic is not affected by borer, there has been a move away from timber towards this material for trays, baskets, bags & even posts. Farmers are also increasingly removing spat from catching surfaces soon after settlement & placing them on specially constructed trays or plastic mesh baskets, systems that provide excellent protection from predators. Faster growth rates are also reported.