The Department of Fisheries in the Indian state of Goa has started issuing biometric ID smart cards to members of the fishing community, reports The Times of India.

The cards, officially known as Marine Fishermen Identification Cards (MFIC), are part of a central government plan to help maintain security at sea, as well as enable benefits programs for fishermen and serve as a national proof of identification.

The department has collected data on about 10,000 people in the industry. It’s contracted with a contractor based in Kerala to manufacture the cards. About 3,600 cards have been completed, and the department is now distributing them.

The cards contain personal data, a photograph, fingerprint and other information. The data is read off of the card and matched with information stored in central and state servers.

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