China's Ministry of State Security has made extraordinary claims, alleging that foreign espionage agencies are deploying 'spy turtles' and 'spy fish' equipped with sensors to monitor the nation's maritime territories. The ministry, in a post on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, warned of an 'invisible secret war' unfolding in the seas surrounding China, with foreign entities reportedly collecting sensitive marine data through a range of innovative surveillance devices.
According to the ministry, these alleged 'spy animals' have been found with attached sensors, gathering real-time environmental data such as water temperature, salinity, and ocean currents. This information is then purportedly transmitted overseas via satellite, contributing to the creation of underwater maps that Beijing views as a 'serious threat to our national security'. While the ministry did not offer specific details on where these animals were discovered or which nations were allegedly responsible, the claims underscore heightened tensions over maritime surveillance.
Beyond marine animals, the Chinese authorities also detailed other alleged espionage techniques. These include buoys, reportedly deployed by an overseas marine research institute, which are said to be equipped with meteorological sensors capable of tracking the 'acoustic signatures of Chinese submarines in real time'. Furthermore, a new type of 'wave glider', powered by wave motion and solar energy, is also cited as being used by foreign actors to transmit 'military-related maritime environmental data and information on vessel activities'.
These allegations are not isolated incidents, as China frequently reports on suspected espionage efforts in its strategically vital waters, including the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait. These areas are among the most militarily sensitive and contested maritime regions globally. Earlier this year, Beijing claimed to have identified 'lighthouses' hidden on the ocean floor, which it suggested could guide foreign submarines and 'pre-set the field for battle'. The Chinese government reportedly incentivises its fishing community, offering financial rewards ranging from GBP 5,500 to GBP 55,000 for uncovering spying devices.
The concept of using marine animals for intelligence gathering is not entirely new. In 2023, British intelligence reported that Russia was enhancing security at its Sevastopol Black Sea fleet base, located on Ukraine’s occupied Crimean peninsula, by deploying trained dolphins. A report from the UK Defence Intelligence agency indicated that Russia had trained bottlenose dolphins, kept in floating pens in the harbour, to 'counter enemy divers', demonstrating that the use of marine life in strategic defence and intelligence operations is a recognised practice among global powers.