The low figure raises conservation concerns and suggests the sockeye fishery in B.C. waters is unlikely to open this year, creating what a commercial fishers union says are dire circumstances for its members.
It came days after a less-conservative estimate sparked tension between U.S. and Canadian officials.
The commission, which was created jointly by the United States and Canada to manage Pacific salmon stocks, estimated last Thursday that the run would be 7.2 million before dropping that figure further.
While the U.S. accepted the commission’s assessment last week and allowed its sockeye fisheries to open over the weekend, Canada’s Fisheries Department urged a more conservative count and Canadian fisheries remained closed.
“The United States agreed with our recommendations last week and Canada wanted to see a number even lower than what was…
