China’s Ministry of State Security claims foreign intelligence agencies are deploying marine animals fitted with sensors — including “spy turtles” and “spy fish” — to collect sensitive data in its coastal waters.
The unusual accusation came in a Friday post on the ministry’s WeChat account, where officials described an “invisible secret war” of espionage unfolding beneath the surface. According to the ministry, relatively large living marine animals have been discovered swimming in specific Chinese waters with attached sensors that gather information such as water temperature, salinity, ocean currents and seabed details before transmitting it in real time to overseas satellites.
The ministry warned that such data could help map China’s coastline, identify vulnerabilities in coastal defenses, track naval movements and expose economic resources, posing serious threats to national, military and territorial security. It urged fishermen, researchers and the public to report any suspicious buoys, gliders or devices found at sea as part of a broader tip program offering rewards. No specific countries, agencies or evidence, such as photos of the animals, were provided in the public statement.
The claims have drawn international attention and some skepticism, with many observers noting that marine biologists routinely use bio-logging techniques for legitimate scientific research. Small sensors attached to sea turtles, fish and other animals help track migration patterns, ocean temperatures, currents and environmental changes, with data often shared via satellite for conservation and climate studies. These tags are non-lethal and widely employed by international research programs.
The incident reflects ongoing tensions between China and other nations over maritime activities in the South and East China Seas, where Beijing has frequently raised concerns about foreign surveillance. While the ministry presented the alleged animal-borne devices as a new espionage threat, experts suggest many such sightings could involve standard scientific equipment.
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