They also agreed that representative of each nation's fishing community, whose illegal cross-border forays for poaching have become a diplomatic issue, would be encouraged to visit each other to foster "greater understanding."
Officials of the two neighbours agreed on a "road map" to protect fishermen and fish stocks, said a joint statement issued after the third meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries in New Delhi on March 28-29, 2011.
"The two sides agreed that a road map needs to be put in place to ensure resource sustainability, livelihood, safety and security of the fishermen of both countries.
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Both sides also discussed measures to expedite the release of "bonafide" detained fishermen from both countries, it said.
"Both sides reiterated the high priority given by their respective governments to issues of fishermen and their livelihood," the statement said.
"They stressed the need for all fishermen to be treated in a humane manner.
To ensure the saf