Two parts to this;

1. Reporting actual fish numbers that were legally retained.

2. Reporting to the fish checker on ALL "encounters".


On point one. Since having a fish recorded on your punch card is required, and possessing fish that are not recorded can result in a fine and loss of fish, it would make sense to just report. However, the comment that the tribes "are and will continue to use the information against sport fishermen" highlights why the fisheries are in such a sad state. For a member of the WDFW staff to say something so inflammatory is unprofessional and slanderous. The problem is, that instead of working toward a more cooperative and transparent relationship with the tribes, WDFW chooses to instigate distrust and suspicion between "us and them". This is not the first time they have used this tactic to divert attention away from the real problem, which is accountability. As long as the sport fishing community feels that the tribes are taking advantage of the system, the temptation to "pay them back" will result in just the sort of thing as not reporting harvests.

On point two:
Almost everything from setting of seasons to what area's are open is driven by what is called "wild fish encounters". Because of the ESA, there are limited percentages allowed for wild fish mortality's for each specific run. For every hatchery fish caught and when you report that you caught and released a wild fish, WDFW assumes that a percentage of wild fish died as a result of that encounter. So even if you handle that fish perfectly and release it "in good condition" a percentage is still counted as killed. The higher the wild fish encounters, the less fishing allowed. This is the reasoning why WDFW increases rules to reduce these encounters. ( barbless hooks, shorter seasons, closures). The one BIG thing that they will not address is that EVERY WILD FISH CAUGHT IN A NET IS A DEAD FISH! This is the "why" some sport fishermen may not report all the "wild fish encounters" to the fish checker.
But since it is so easy to impose rules and regulations on sport fishermen because they have no cohesive group to fight for fairness, and the tribes have big money, campaign donations and unity, we will continue to see the same old thing over and over and over.