Ingress of transformation stage gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus (Pisces: Lutjanidae) through Beaufort inlet, North Carolina

Ingressing transformation stage gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) were sampled near Beaufort Inlet in 1993 and 1998. Gray snapper ingressed from July-October with a peak in September. Ingress occurred primarily during the new moon and secondarily during the full moon. Ingressing gray snapper were 11.3-15.8 mm standard length (SL), with a mean of 13.4 mm SL, and 21-34 d old, with a mean of 27 d. Estimated hatch dates ranged from June-September, with a peak in August. Hatching occurred throughout the lunar cycle with a peak during the new moon. Beaufort Inlet is 100s km north of known gray snapper spawning grounds; the mechanisms that result in yearly ingress in a predictable pattern have not been defined. Similarly, it is unknown whether juveniles that are resident in North Carolina estuaries successfully recruit to adult populations further south.