A man has been fined for illegal eel fishing in the River Thames with an unlicensed rod and line.

Peter Hayes, 22, of Portland Road, Kingston, was ordered to pay £292 in fines and costs at Richmond Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 2.

The court heard Hayes illegally fished at Barge Walk, Hampton Wick, on August 15 last year during the annual three-month eel fishing ban.

The Environment Agency introduced the season, which covers the breeding period from March 15 to June 15, due to the critical state of eel stocks.

People caught fishing during this period are likely to face fines of hundreds of pounds.

Environment Agency spokesman Joe Giacomelli said: "The number entering European rivers has crashed by more than 90 per cent in recent decades.

"The decline is thought to be caused by a number of factors, including over fishing, habitat loss, pollution, climate change and changes to oceanic currents.

"If eel population numbers don’t improve soon we could reach a critical point of no return and face the end of this species living in our waters and possibly extinction."

The eel is a snake-like fish with an elongated body that can range from 5cm to 4m long with shallow fins.

Kingston-based environmental expert Tony Drakeford said: "People should know that there is a law and if it is flouted then there is a price to pay. A fine is justified.

“The eel population has declined and it is worrying – they need to be protected. Illegal fishing must be stamped out.”

A similar case of illegal fishing on the same day last year involving Richard Tullet, 29, of Stafford Road, in New Malden, was adjourned to be heard at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on May 14.

He also faces charges of fishing for eels during the close season with a rod and a line.

Anyone wishing to report cases of illegal fishing should call the Environmental Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060.