Pelicans at the Salton Sea south west shore. In 2006, the Salton Sea’s salinity stood at 47 parts per thousand. Water samples in 2016 showed salinity levels of between 58 and 59 parts per thousand, near the estimated threshold of 60 parts per thousand at which experts have predicted the remaining fish might stop breeding. The Salton Sea is a critical inland stop-off point for many birds along the Pacific Flyway due to not enough fish in the sea birds are starving from hunger..Salton Sea, Imperial County, California, USA. .© March 4 2008 Marco van Middelkoop/Aerophoto-Schiphol