A wildlife officer in snorkel gear swam after a scuba diver suspected of poaching lobster Sunday afternoon north of Cudjoe Key -- while a cable TV crew captured the incident on video.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers charged the 46-year-old Tampa man with spearing lobster, possessing undersized lobster, taking lobster out of season and exceeding the bag limit -- all misdemeanors -- said FWC spokesman Bobby Dube.

Florida's lobster mini-season, which affords sport divers two days of hunting prior to the regular season, doesn't begin until 12 a.m. Wednesday.

Dube said two FWC officers were patrolling an area between Sawyer Key and Content Keys around 2:30 p.m. when they noticed a man in a center console boat acting suspiciously.

"When he spotted the officers he began revving his motor to signal a diver in the water," Dube said. "That piqued their curiosity."

As the officers approached the boat, they saw a diver in the water drop a bag and swim away, Dube said. Officers marked the spot where the bag was dropped with a buoy.

"At that point, [Officer] Seth [Wingard] jumped in the water and went after the diver," Dube said. "He chased him a good 200 yards before he surfaced and they got him into custody."

Officers retrieved the bag and reportedly found 39 wrung lobster tails. Of those 39, three were undersized. Under Florida law, lobster tails must be wrung on land.

During the mini-season, recreational lobster fishermen are allowed only six lobsters per person.

A Planet Green TV crew, a division of the Discovery Channel, was videotaping officers preparing for the annual onslaught of sport divers, Dube said. Officers have been intensifying patrols this month in preparation.

Poachers often begin taking lobsters days before season opens to avoid the crowds and competition.

"This time of year, just before season, we start getting the calls from boaters who see guys out scouting their spots or taking lobster," Dube said. "So that leads to a lot of random patrols, and sometimes you get lucky and actually catch someone."

On Monday, Dube was at an FWC trailer near Mile Marker 106 instructing tourists on how to catch lobsters legally. He is anticipating a big turnout for the mini-season.

"They're rolling in, and have been since Saturday," he said. "I hear the hotels are booking up and, based on traffic, I'd say it's going to be a busy season."

alinhardt@keysnews.com