News of the death of Dr Duncan Huggett who has died recently after a short battle with a brain tumour marks the passing of a wonderfully talented and generous man. Small of stature but with a giant capacity for life and work, he will be very badly missed. His work with the RSPB, Environment Agency and the Marine Conservation Society reflected his love of the natural world and his desire to work with those who tried to protect and enhance it. Duncan concentrated on the legal frameworks that supported conservation. His knowledge of EU Directives and domestic law was encyclopaedic. His self-deprecating boast that he even knew where the spelling mistakes were in EU directives was not untypical of his grasp and his humour.

In the Environment Agency, he was the man all turned to when flood risk and coastal management ran into conflict with EU Directives or where natural flood management options were to be considered. His intimate knowledge of the nuances, opportunities and possibilities that the legislation provided has been fundamentally important in concepts such as land banking or managed retreat. His calm and measured authority was sought by many and he gladly and generously donated his time and expertise to all.

Duncan’s understanding and promotion of approaches to flood and coastal risk management that work with, or emulate, natural processes, was tireless.  Before it became a topic discussed in every media article on flooding, he was carefully building the case and establishing a solid scientific story that recognises what role natural flood management can play in sustainably reducing risk to people and improving our environment.  The programme the Environment Agency is now managing to invest £15m in natural flood management came about in no small part because of Duncan’s sustained efforts and gentle, thoughtful approach to making the arguments.

His achievements in shaping national marine policy are of significant and game changing value. He helped pioneer an ecosystem-based approach to inshore fisheries management, at the time a very progressive concept. His review of coastal zone management in response to a government review of byelaw making powers concluded with his own model for management of the coastal zone. Drafting the Marine Wildlife Bill, a private members bill which was the precursor to the Marine Act, was largely done by Duncan. His ability to forensically pick apart a piece of legislation and amend it was legendary.

He had an amazing skill to think things through systematically, backed up by the acquisition of a deep knowledge of the inshore fishing industry, port development, flood and coastal risk management or whatever was the subject of the day to be addressed. He was also able to develop a close working relationship at all levels from bait-diggers to government officials or industrialists (even a Minister on occasion, for which he took his ear-ring off).

His work both against and ultimately in cooperation with the ports industry led ultimately to a significant change in the relationship between the ports and conservation sectors.

He made a major contribution to shaping the environmental responsibilities of the then Sea Fisheries Committees (now the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities).   A real breakthrough in which Duncan’s input was key was the Environment Act 1995 which enabled SFCs to make byelaws to control fishing for environmental reasons as well as for fisheries management.  The first ever use of this Act was the byelaw that restricted gillnet fishing in St Ives Bay when auk bycatch exceeded a threshold level.

Duncan`s achievements and his rapport, with those who were often the opposition who clearly respected him greatly, were fantastic. But he also combined it with a great zest for life.  Motorbikes in bits on the kitchen table, the Civil War Society cannon under his stairs, the shotgun licence extended to cover 5 kilos of black powder, geo caching, and abandoned dog taming. His domestic brewing and wine making output was phenomenal.

In his recent acquisition of a small holding in the fens managed with, Mandy, his partner of over 25 years, who he recently married, was to be his longer-term project. As Duncan would often admit, Mandy supported and encouraged him in all his endeavours and was the influential figure behind the Duncan we all grew to know and love.

We have lost a giant of a man who has made a huge contribution to the environment and the world is much poorer for his passing.

You can sign up for the funeral and donate to MCS via this Facebook page

(Acknowledgement to Phil Rothwell and Euan Dunn)