Sardinia's Cabras Lagoon: A Century of Feudal Fishing Rights and Legal Battles
The history of Stagno di Cabras (Mare and Pontis) in Sardinia is detailed in the article, illustrating its evolution from communal land to a feudal estate owned by the Carta family. In 1662, a banker from Genoa acquired usage rights from the Spanish monarchy. Although King Carlo Alberto abolished feudal systems in 1836, the lagoon remained with the Carta family. In 1956, Regional Law 39 designated lagoons as state property, with Cabras being an exception. Don Efisio Carta's exclusive control prompted protests in 1960, and on May 15, 1961, sixty fishermen occupied the lagoon. Legal battles regarding the canal's origins followed, leading to the lagoon's expropriation by the region in 1982. This article is part of Andrea Bagnato's 'Arborea/Mussolinia' initiative, supported by the Graham Foundation.
Key facts
- Stagno di Cabras, also called Mare and Pontis, was a collective property until 1662.
- In 1662, a Genoese banker obtained usage rights from the Spanish king.
- In 1836, King Carlo Alberto abolished feudal relations, but the lagoon went to the Carta family.
- Regional Law 39 of 1956 abolished exclusive fishing rights in coastal waters, but Cabras was exempted.
- Don Efisio Carta controlled the lagoon with armed guards, threatening fishermen.
- On May 15, 1961, sixty fishermen occupied the lagoon for a week; they were arrested.
- In 1971, 288 fishermen were tried for fish theft but acquitted.
- The lagoon was expropriated in 1982 after the region paid compensation to the Carta family.
Entities
Artists
- Andrea Bagnato
- Anna Positano
Institutions
- Artribune
- Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
- Humboldt Books
- theredbird.org
Locations
- Sardinia
- Oristano
- Cabras
- Arborea
- Italy
- Spain