Thirty years after starting the Save the Manatees Club in Florida with former Senator and Governor Bob Graham, Jimmy Buffett has reversed his position on manatees:

The Gulf Coast’s favorite son Jimmy Buffett may be a favorite no more after he announced Thursday that he no longer believes in the plight of the Florida manatee.

“The Florida manatee population is at record levels,” Buffett said in a phone interview from his home on St. Bart’s. “They are no longer endangered, and in fact they are becoming so numerous that they are now a nuisance to Florida boaters and fishermen.”

The “Margaritaville” crooner is an avid boater and angler and spends a considerable of time in Florida waters.

Tom Manning of the US Fish and Wildlife Service disputes Buffett’s claims. “While it’s true that the West Indian Manatee is no longer classified as endangered, it’s still considered threatened. That means that the species is still considered very vulnerable to endangerment.”

Buffett’s partner in forming the club back in 1981, Senator Bob Graham, is shocked by the sudden change in Buffett’s position on manatees:

“Jimmy and I have worked together for thirty years on this,” former Senator Bob Graham said. “I am shocked and saddened that he would abandon our work and the work of many others just as the manatee population begins to recover. Maybe he hit his head a little harder than he thought down in Australia.”

Update – Yes this was indeed an April Fools joke . Jimmy is just as committed as ever to saving the manatees. Learn how you can help at savethemanatee.org