Shellfish aquaculture is the largest sector of aquaculture in the United States, but it is an anomaly in the agrifood economy because it is primarily comprised of small-scale farms. It is also a relatively new industry compared to land-based farming. The ubiquity of small farms and shellfish aquaculture’s recent rise in commercial seafood production in the U.S. make it an interesting focus for the study of livelihood diversification. Further, aquaculture is often touted by decision-makers as an additional or alternative livelihood option for fishers, though there is very little research on whether fishers in the U.S. are adopting aquaculture, and what fishers or farmers think of this livelihood pathway. This study uses semi-structured interviews with shellfish farmers and fishers in different communities on the east coast to understand their perspectives on aquaculture as a livelihood diversification option, and if they decided to diversify or transition into aquaculture, why they chose to do so. The findings from this research indicate that, despite some technical similarities between shellfish fishing and farming, fishers and farmers do not see aquaculture as a logical or straightforward transition from fishing, a view driven largely by the perception of sociocultural differences in fishing and farming communities, and the non-material benefits these industries offer. As shellfish aquaculture continues to expand across the U.S. , research trying to understand why individuals pursue this profession will be of increasing importance to inform regulations and management systems.