Environment Agency officers caught the suspect on the River Rother in the early hours of Thursday morning after receiving a tip-off from the public.

A spokesman said: "He was fishing in a vulnerable location for elvers with few areas for their habitat."

If convicted, the man could face two years imprisonment and a �2,500 fine.

Elver fishing is illegal across Kent and Sussex.

Earlier this month the Environment Agency announced a new scheme across Kent and Sussex involving night-time patrols designed to protect juvenile eels from being caught illegally.

Midnight operation

After receiving the tip-off just before midnight, four officers positioned themselves at various points along the River Rother.

They arrested the suspect who was using a net at about 0100 BST.

They then called for assistance from Sussex Police.

Environment Agency water bailiffs have powers of arrest, search and seizure under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.

Under threat

Eel stocks are thought to be in decline across Europe.

The Environment Agency said there is serious financial gain in illegally catching elvers which are considered a delicacy in parts of Europe and the Far East.

The spokesman added: "Our officers will continue to patrol vulnerable elver locations. Anyone attempting to take elvers will be caught."

The European eel is believed to spawn in the Sargasso Sea off the South American coast.

Once the eggs hatch they drift in the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic currents and head towards Europe.

The journey can take two to three years when they develop from larvae to a 60mm translucent juvenile eel or elver.