Our team
MWIFMA staff
Here are the members of our team:
Catherine Lambert Koizumi
Ph.D., Executive Director
catherine.lambert@aghamw.ca
Catherine grew up with a strong interest in wildlife, nature conservation and indigenous culture. Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences (2001, Université du Québec à Montréal), a master’s degree in natural resource management (2002, Washington State University) and a doctorate in ecology (2012, University of Alberta).
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She has completed over a decade of research in Western and Arctic Canada on large carnivores, predator-prey interactions, and collaborative management with Gwich’in and Inuvialuit communities. In 2012, she returned East and discovered the ocean environment by becoming the executive director of MWIFMA. Under her leadership, the organization grows and carries out numerous research and conservation projects on fisheries and aquaculture, marine protected areas, indigenous ecological knowledge, maritime safety training, species at risk, etc. She works closely with the three communities for which she proudly works: Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk. Catherine also actively participates in several national and international committees on ocean research. In her personal life, she is also a mother of two and owner of a horse breeding and riding farm.
Stephanie Gedeon Harrison
Administrative Assistant
stephanie.gedeonharrison@aghamw.ca
Stephanie has a keen interest in salmon conservation and is avid fly-fishing enthusiast. Stephanie worked in administration for Société Cascapedia for four years before starting for MWIFMA in 2012. Since joining the MWIFMA team, Stephanie has also taken an accounting course in Montreal.
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As part of her work, Stephanie welcomes visitors to MWIFMA and assists management in many ways. In particular, she plays an important role in accounting, office organization and equipment orders.
Marie-Hélène Rondeau
M.Sc. oceanography, Commercial Fisheries and Aquaculture Project Manager
mariehelene.rondeau@aghamw.ca
Marie-Hélène comes from Montreal, which did not prevent her from becoming passionate about the sea! She has twenty years of experience in fisheries sciences. Migrating from the fresh waters of the city, where she began her career in biology, via Rimouski, where she did her master’s degree in oceanography, she settled in the salt waters of the Gaspé peninsula.
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She is interested in everything related to commercial fishing and aquaculture, particularly underexploited or under-valued species. Being part of the MWIFMA team since its beginnings in 2012, Marie-Hélène seeks to understand the production chain, from sea to plate. She has carried out various projects, among others on sea cucumber, seals and marine kelp. She enjoys cooking, traveling and hitting the ski slopes.
Adam Jerome
Research and Communications Officer
adam.jerome@aghamw.ca
Adam is originally from Gesgapegiag and previously worked for the Micmacs of Gesgapegiag Band as an inshore fisheries liaison. At MWIFMA, since 2012, Adam has supported research and development initiatives related to fisheries and aquaculture. He also plays an important role as a liaison in communications and outreach activities.
Research and Communications Officer
adam.jerome@aghamm.ca
Adam is originally from Gesgapegiag and previously worked for the Micmacs of Gesgapegiag Band as an inshore fisheries liaison. At MWIFMA, since 2012, Adam has supported research and development initiatives related to fisheries and aquaculture. He also plays an important role as a liaison in communications and outreach activities.
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For example, Adams attends several meetings, writes summary reports, prepares presentations and collects information on species at sea, is involved in the planning of Oceans Day and school activities, and is also in responsible for conducting interviews with Mi’gmaq and Wolastoqey ecological knowledge holders. In addition, Adam is our primary Mi’gmaq language resource.
Emmanuel Sandt-Duguay
M.Sc., Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator
emmanuel.sandt-duguay@aghamw.ca
Since November 2013, Emmanuel Sandt-Duguay has been our Commercial Fisheries Liaison Coordinator, in collaboration with the Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC). His role is to increase participation in the fisheries management processes of the Mi’gmaq and Maliseet First Nations communities that are members of the MWIFMA, namely Gesgapegiag, Gespeg, and Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk; as well as those members of the GMRC, namely Listuguj, Eel River Bar and Pabineau.
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Emmanuel participates in stock assessments, advisory committees, working groups and other meetings related to the management of fishery resources. Emmanuel has more than twenty years of experience in the commercial fisheries of lobster, snow crab, rock crab, stimpson’s surfclam, whelk, herring, mackerel, halibut, and turbot, as a fisherman’s helper, fisherman and captain-owner. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in marine biology and a master’s degree in maritime resources management, he was the coordinator of strategic monitoring of fisheries and aquaculture at the Comité sectoriel de main-d’oeuvre des pêches maritimes (CSMOPM) from 2007 to 2011. He also carried out several missions in the fisheries sector abroad, notably in Africa, Asia, Europe and more recently at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy.
Yan Tapp
Training and NIGNAG Coordinator
yan.tapp@aghamw.ca
Yan Tapp is a member of the Gespeg community and elected councilor since April 2020. He has been involved in several functions of his community such as tourism, education, commercial fishing, politics and several community activities.
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Working at MWIFMA as a coordinator of training and the Nignag, our training-vessel, he has fifteen years of experience in commercial and experimental fishing. Yan is responsible for carrying out training according to the needs of indigenous communities and the various related projects. Under his supervision, he works with the members of the training boat’s crew to carry out several commercial or experimental fishing activities. A graduate of professional fishing training, a Class 4 captain’s certificate, a technique in specialized education, he continued his university training at a distance with a Bachelor’s degree in communication. With a concern for a job well done, he collaborates with calm, professionalism and humanistic respect. Passionate about management and activities related to nature, his culture and the land, he tries to get as involved as possible.
Camille Brisson
M.Sc. Marine Resource Management, Coordinator of the Atlas and Liaison Officer for whales/communities
camille.brisson@aghamw.ca
Biology and environmental protection have been of great importance to Camille since her childhood, certainly due to her first escapades in the beautiful Quebec and Canadian nature. As this passion remained, she completed a DEC in Bioecology Techniques, then obtained her bachelor’s degree in ecology (biology) at the Université de Sherbrooke in 2018. It was following the discovery of scuba diving that she developed a deep interest in the marine environment and all the wonders found there. She then pursued her academic career at UQAR for a master’s degree in marine resource management.
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During her studies, Camille had the pleasure of tasting fundamental research on the Two-Eared Swallow, as well as getting involved as the leader of a student conservation committee. In addition, she has also been immersed in the world of science popularization and field work through her experience as a naturalist at Sépaq and as a biological technician for various watershed organizations. Her experience in an Anicinape community in Quebec has fueled her desire to work in the collaborative management environment with members of Quebec’s Indigenous nations. It is therefore with happiness that Camille joins the MWIFMA team in 2022. In addition to the time devoted to work, she takes advantage of every free moment to indulge in her piano, loom, sea kayaking and mountain running.
Jacob Nolett-Descheneaux
MA Project Management, Marine Spatial Planning Project Manager
jocob.nollet-descheneaux@aghamw.ca
Jacob is a member of the Abenaki community of Odanak. His interest in fisheries resources led him to complete a bachelor’s degree in biology at the Université du Québec à Rimouski. He also has a master’s degree in project management. During his academic career, he acquired various and very complementary skills. His professional experiences made him discover several different regions such as the North Shore and the Lower St. Lawrence to finally adopt the Gaspé Peninsula as his preferred place to settle. As a passionate bioscientist and member of a First Nation, Jacob is very proud to join the MWIFMA.
Within the MWIFMA, as a project manager, Jacob will work closely with the Mi’gmaq First Nations of Gespeg and Gesgapegiag as well as the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation in order to accompany them in the face of the issues related to the use of marine spaces in each of these communities.
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Working at MWIFMA as a coordinator of training and the Nignag, our training-vessel, he has fifteen years of experience in commercial and experimental fishing. Yan is responsible for carrying out training according to the needs of indigenous communities and the various related projects. Under his supervision, he works with the members of the training boat’s crew to carry out several commercial or experimental fishing activities. A graduate of professional fishing training, a Class 4 captain’s certificate, a technique in specialized education, he continued his university training at a distance with a Bachelor’s degree in communication. With a concern for a job well done, he collaborates with calm, professionalism and humanistic respect. Passionate about management and activities related to nature, his culture and the land, he tries to get as involved as possible.
Evelyne Sigouin
Marine Biologist evelyne.sigouin@aghamw.ca
For Evelyne, the choice to work in the field of marine biology was a belated revelation. Lulled by fantastic stories and having grown up in the Laurentian mountains, it was only by enrolling in the bachelor’s degree in biology at UQAR that she discovered this world filled with the strangeness of life. What could be more mysterious and fascinating than the epic life of a snow crab larva that survived its adventures, reaches 95 mm and ends up on our plates? As a generalist, Evelyne has found her place in fisheries, which combine the challenges of acquiring scientific knowledge as well as managing the resource.
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Committed by nature, Evelyne had experience working in biology with or for Indigenous Nations in Quebec. Now well established in Rimouski, she has been working for MWIFMA since June 2022 and provides biological advice to Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation in its fishing and consultation activities. Outside of work, Evelyne enjoys wandering in the world of books and video games.
Tanya Condo
tanya.condo@aghamw.ca
Tanya is a member of the Mi’gmaq community of Gesgapegiag. Currently completing her bachelor’s degree at Cape Breton University, Tanya is passionate about nature and the living world around her. Her curiosity led her to obtain a degree in horticulture before delving into the field of biology. Her commitment to preserving the marine environment has led her to work with her sister indigenous communities. Always thirsty for knowledge, Tanya is delighted to be part of MWIFMA’s team. Outside of work, she loves exploring nature, reading inspiring books, and spending time with family and friends. Join us to learn more about his remarkable journey and achievements
Sandra Autef
Project Manager
sandra.autef@aghamw.ca
Originally from France, Sandra settled in Quebec 13 years ago. She completed her university studies in Quebec by doing a Masters in Marine Resource Management at UQAR.
Afterwards, her professional experiences took her to the four corners of the province, including Sept-Îles, Carleton, but also Caraquet. A Biologist by training, she started by working with professional fishers and aquaculturists in order to diversify their activities and to reduce their impact on the environment. Being a great enthusiast of seafood and local products, it was very natural that she then focused on valuing misunderstood marine products and developing short circuits by working with fishers, processing plants, and chefs in Montreal, Toronto, and New York. She also participated enthusiastically in starting up SALAWEG, a native business that processes macro-algae. She also worked in the development of a traditional cannery for marine products. Returning in Gaspésie, it is with great pleasure that Sandra joins members of the MWIFMA team to bring her support in developing and implementing structuring projects for the three MWIFMA community members.
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In her free time, Sandra adores to can everything she is able to: from macquerel fished at the wharf to mushrooms picked in the woods! She also likes dancing and being involved in community life; she is a member of the Board of Directors of “Produire la Santé Ensemble” (Producing Healh Together), a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster food self-sufficiency.
SAmuel Bourgault
Project Manager
samuel.bourgault@aghamw.ca
Samuel, originally from the town of Rivière-du-Loup, is a proud member of the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation. Attracted by the link between indigenous peoples and the environment, he undertook studies in geography at Laval University, then pursuing a master’s degree in environmental biogeoscience.
His academic background has given him in-depth expertise in the management of environmental projects, combining multidisciplinary scientific knowledge and skills in the environment. Its background integrates knowledge from biology, geomatics, Earth sciences and geography.
Back in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Samuel has worked for AGHAMW since December 2023. His commitment within the association focuses on the preservation of thermal refuges for the Atlantic salmon in the territory. Apart from his professional involvement, he is involved in sporting activities such as ultimate frisbee and hiking.
Lyndsey Parent
Lyndsey.parent@aghamw.ca
Lyndsey grew up in Escuminac, on the shores of the Baie des Chaleurs. She spent her youth exploring the waters and the surrounding forests, this sparked an interest in nature and its conservation at an early age. She spent a decade in Montreal trying out different paths of education before returning to her roots and settling on environmental studies in Eastern Canada. Her educational background includes a diploma from NBCC in Environmental Technology. She is currently working on her BSc in Environmental Practice from Royal Roads University.
She began her mandate at MWFMA in December of 2023 focusing on the re-connectivity of the American Eel habitats. Prior to working at MWAFMA, Lyndsey participated in lobster stock assessments within a different Indigenous science team.
Other than her studies and professional life she likes to spend all her time in anything outdoors, reading a good book, and spending time with her dog.