Young eels are in decline across Europe

Each spring thousands of eels arrive in rivers in the region from the Sargasso Sea in South America but stocks are believed to be declining.

An Environment Agency spokesman Chris Conroy said: "Anyone found in contravention of the regulations could be prosecuted and fined up to �2,500."

Juvenile eel or elver fishing is illegal in Kent and Sussex.

'Serious financial gain'

After hatching the larvae drift along the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic currents and head for Europe.

The journey is believed to take up to three years when the larvae develop to a 60mm translucent elver.

The translucent elvers then grow into adult eels to live in fresh water in the UK for a number of years before migrating back to the Sargasso Sea.

"The eel is a fascinating species of fish with a complex life cycle," he added.

"It plays an important role in the ecology of rivers and is an important food source for several species of conservation value such as the otter."

Mr Conroy said there is serious financial gain in illegally catching elvers.

"They are a delicacy - a large proportion are exported to Europe and the Far East."

Poachers catch the elvers using purpose-built dip nets with a fine mesh.

The Environment Agency has the powers of arrest, search and seizure under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.

"It's a high priority to protect the eels," he said.