Assessment of Holothuria arguinensis feeding rate, growth and absorption efficiency under aquaculture conditions

Holothuria arguinensis is a potential species for sea cucumber aquaculture in Europe. In a first experiment, feeding rate (FR), growth, absorption efficiency (AE) and survival of adults (135.01 +/- 10.87g eviscerated weight) were assessed under sediment tank conditions. In a second experiment, the feasibility to use sea bream (Sparus aurata) biodeposits as a food source was studied for adults (168.69 +/- 14.59g eviscerated weight). Individuals in the first experiment showed an increase of weight (specific growth rate (SGR)=0.2% d(-1)), positive FRs and mean value of AE close to 80% with a mean organic matter content of 90.07 +/- 11.5mg/g in the offered sediment. Sea cucumbers fed with fish biodeposits showed a reduction of weight (SGR<-0.14%d(-1)), low FRs and negative values of AE. The influence of low salinity and temperature during experiments should be considered to explain these results. Indeed, sea cucumbers can be affected by a decrease of these parameters during winter months resulting in a period of inactivity.Fundacao para a Ciencia e a TecnologiaPortuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [PTDC/MAR/119363/2010, PTDC/MAR-BIO/5948/2014]Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) postdoctoral grant [SFRH/BPD/70689/2010]FCT Investigator Programme-Career Development [IF/00998/2014

Market Deregulation and Insurer Pricing Strategies: The Japanese Experience

In 1998, rate regulation in the Japanese auto insurance industry shifted from a tightly controlled tariff regime to that of a less regulated (theoretically) prior approval system. While actual rate regulation is generally not directly observable, Danzon (1983) contends that the “true” character of regulation is indirectly observable in the pricing strategies of insurers. This paper applies Danzon's hypothesis to the Japanese auto insurance market. The empirical analysis employs a two-way random-effects panel data methodology that includes data from the domestic competitors in the Japanese auto insurance market over the 1991–2000 period. Even though an increased dispersion of pricing strategies corresponding to insurer size is observed after deregulation, our analysis reveals that the Japanese auto insurance market still operates much like a cartel. The implication is that despite formal deregulation, Japan's regulatory body still maintains significant control. The Geneva Papers (2005) 30, 312–326. doi:10.1057/palgrave.gpp.2510028