The state government of Kerala in India is using holograms in a bid to tackle the increasing number of unregistered fishing vessels that are implicated in criminal activities, including human trafficking.

Holograms are becoming widely deployed as an effective weapon in the fight against counterfeiting and anti-tampering, offering product authentication benefits to business and commerce.

In Holography News, Paul Dunn, chair of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association, explained how holography is finding a new role in the battle to protect fishing.

The Keralan authorities have introduced 300 Holographic Registration Plates (HRPs) which are fixed on top of the fishing vessel's wheelhouse with an ion number etched to ensure each boat has a unique identifier.

The use of holograms is replacing the traditional registration marks applied to boat hulls, or to the beading on top of the wheelhouse. This is enabling authorities to better track fake fishing vessels, improve coastal security, boost the recognition of unregistered vessels and in conducting rescue operations more effectively.

Growth in hologram usage is being driven by increased global consumption on the back of rising populations. As demand grows, so too does the trade in illicit goods. Looking to the future, the Keralan state government is considering combining the HRPs with GPS technology to create a real-time monitoring system.