Pekelmeer

 lagoon, conservation area of wild birds

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The outer ring of condenser basins at the Cargill Solar Salt Works on Bonaire is a body of water called the Pekelmeer, or Salt Sea. Seawater is pumped into this lake to begin its evaporation and condensation process, after which it is pumped into the condenser basins and then to the crystalizer basins to dry into sea salt. Depending on the stage of condensation, the Pekelmeer can either be a vivid blue or bright green color.

The large, warm and shallow body of water is a haven for small fish and brine shrimp, which attract a wide variety of birds, most famously the Caribbean Pink Flamingo, which has a designated breeding ground in the center of the salt pans. Entry into the Pekelmeer is prohibited as it is privately owned by Cargill and the Flamingo Breeding Reserve is a Ramsar Site administered by STINAPA.

www.tourismbonaire.com/sightseeing/pekelmeer-flamingo-s...
www.dcnanature.org/bonaire-iba-pekelmeer/