Welcome to the war between the recreational fisherman (to include charters) and the commercial fisherman. The International Pacific Halibut Commission set halibut regulations for both the US and Canada. The commission is stacked with politicals from both countries and the commercial fishing industry. The recreational fisherman has one (1) representative. Yep only one. The commercials has successfully put many in the recreational fishing charting service out of business. Many of my friends in Alaska went bankrupt.
http://www.iphc.int/
In my own opion this organization needs to be disbanded. The commercials agenda is to make it so difficult for recreational fisherman to catch fish, they will have to buy it. Have you seen the price of a small halibut steak?
The politicals don't want to go against the commercial fisherman, so they cave instead of looking out for all interest.
There you have it. Happy reading. End of soap box!