Abstract: Filter-feeding bivalves is one of the most productive species in the world. Large scale aquaculture has increased the number of shellfish in coastal waters greatly. The influences of bivalves' physiological processes and aquaculture activities on the marine ecosystem have drawn lots of attention from scientists. This paper summarizes the current research progress on the impact of shellfish on plankton, and conclude that the influences of bivalves aquaculture on plankton communities in farming areas and its adjacent area include: the filter feeding leads to a grazing pressure and exerts a ‘top-down’ control of planktonic communities in farming areas, resulting in a significant depletion of plankton concentration; selective predation changed plankton community structure; the excretion of shellfish increased the nutrient elements in the water and promoted the growth of phytoplankton; the biodeposition process lead to a deposition and burial of silicon (Si) which resulted in a change in biogenic elements ratio and a limit of diatom; the rearing infrastructures decreased the hydrodynamic and water flow velocity, and prolonged the residence time of plankton inside farming areas, which tends to increase the risk of predation of planktonic populations, reducing biomass and production; bivalves can increase the amount of fouling organisms and have an impact on plankton. Finally, the paper summarizes the scientific problems to be further studied.