My name is Brett Pierce. As a frequent patron of food trucks in Miami as well as Dos Equis being my go to beer, I couldn’t have been more intrigued to learn that the two would be teaming up with the Feast of the Brave. However, my intrigue and interest turned to dismay and frustration when I learned of some of the  menu items to be served in various cities. I am an instructor within the Department of Earth an Environment at Florida International University in Miami. I am well versed on the perils the ocean faces and what it will take to save such a dynamic ecosystem, one of which humanity is so reliant. One thing that must be done is to stop removing valuable members of the marine ecosystems, among these are sharks. Some regional shark population have declined by 97% by some estimates. And there is a growing number of shark species showing up on the IUCN red list. For your benefit I have listed my sources below. However, I am not so naïve to believe that all shark harvesting is unsustainable and for all I know, the suppliers of the food trucks that Dos Equis are sponsoring may be from those few sustainability minded fisheries. But, I have my doubts.

I’m sure the most interesting man in the world would not visit a food truck where shark was served. Instead he would have served every venomous, invasive lionfish that he plucked from the Caribbean with his bare hands, and not once have been stung. You should have asked me while the idea was being pitched, I would have consulted free of charge.  Think about it for the Feast of the Brave, “lionfish or shark?” You really could make a statement by standing up for the ocean.

But in all seriousness, if you could provide the list of species that you are serving and the region from which they were harvested, that would be great. Furthermore, If you would like to contact me with a response, I am more than willing to chat about this. My number is 334.670.XXXX. But most of all, I hope you treat this matter with the gravity it deserves, because if things don’t change, in the very near future we may not have the option of grilled shark, or tuna, or grouper, or cod, or snapper, and so on. It will be jellyfish tacos for all. But, at least there will be Dos Equis!

Regards ,

~Brett Pierce

Instructor, Dept. of Earth and Environment

Florida International University

FYI: http://www.sharksavers.org/education/sharks-are-in-trouble/70-sharks-in-danger-of-extinction.html