| The bay is of economic importance for the sharks and other fishes in its waters and for the saltworks on its shores. |
| Goat raising by the Wayuu people is widespread, and there is some pearl fishing as well as saltworks on the coast. |
| Many species of birds like the avocet, black-necked grebe and curlew sandpiper depend upon the saltworks, feeding exclusively on Artemia. |
| The island is also one of China's major producers of salt, with several large saltworks along its coasts. |
| Another reason why birds prefer saltworks is that hunting prohibition is more effective there than in the rest of the wetlands. |
| Confederate forces took salt supplies and other goods from the Kanawha River valley, destroying most of the saltworks as they departed. |
