The annual Insurance Journal, released on Thursday, chronicles the industry's key news events, financial information as well as significant personnel appointments.

It is presented as a week-by-week digest compiled by leading business writer Roger Crombie, and is designed to be a work of reference for the industry.

In addition to the major chronology of insurance industry events, analysis of the much-changed face of the sector, buffeted by the global economic down-turn, is reported in stories that chronicle the IPC Holdings-Validus Holdings merger, the changed complexion of Bermuda's top 20 industry companies and Business Editor Jonathan Kent's interview with XL Capital chief Michael McGavick.

Shells of every size, description and that are found in Bermuda waters, illustrate this year's Journal. The specimens were taken by leading photographer Antoine Hunt, and they all belong to the Jack Lightbourn Shell Collection, which is held by the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, where they are also on display.

The Bottom Line Magazine's annual Insurance Journal publishes on Thursday and is free inside Hamilton issues of The Royal Gazette.