spy turtles – China’s Ministry of State Security says foreign spy services are using marine animals fitted with sensors—alongside devices like detection buoys and wave gliders—to collect maritime data near China’s coast, urging fishermen and researchers to report suspicious
A green sea turtle gliding in the water is one thing. A sea turtle fitted with sensors that send data to overseas satellites is another. On Friday. China’s Ministry of State Security pushed that darker idea into the open. warning that foreign intelligence services are using so-called “spy turtles” and “spy fish” to snoop on China.
In a post on the WeChat social media platform. the ministry said “An unseen covert war of espionage is currently unfolding” in the seas around China’s coast. It added that. in recent years. overseas spy agencies have been “continuously collecting and stealing sensitive maritime data” through “various new types of espionage equipment.”.
The ministry claimed that. in certain Chinese waters. “relatively large living marine animals have been fitted with sensors to swim in specific areas. collect ocean data. and transmit it to overseas satellites.” It did not provide details on where the animals had been found or which nations it suspected of overseeing the alleged espionage.
Alongside the animal-based devices, the ministry listed other hardware it said foreign spy agencies deploy. The post pointed to “detection buoys,” “a new type of wave glider,” and equipment on ships.
The warning also tied the alleged activity to broader aims: the ministry said foreign spy agencies have for years tried to analyze Chinese naval activities, create “underwater maps” of China’s maritime coastline, and monitor its offshore oil and gas deposits.
The message ended with a call aimed at people most likely to encounter the devices first. The ministry urged researchers, fishermen, and vessel owners to remain vigilant and “report suspicious devices.”
China’s warning lands in a place where similar stories have already had consequences. The country has previously rewarded anglers for turning in alleged maritime spy devices, with some receiving up to 500,000 yuan (about $73,000) for their help, according to CBS News’ partner network BBC News.
This is not the first time marine animals have been brought into claims of sabotage or military spying. In 2019. a Beluga whale turned up on the Norwegian coast wearing a harness that appeared to have a mount for a small camera. sparking speculation that it had been trained to spy for the Russian navy. Moscow never issued an official reaction.
In 2023, the British military said Russia appeared to be training dolphins for combat to counter Ukrainian forces. The British defense ministry said the animals were “likely intended to counter enemy divers.”
For now. China’s new warning gives the public a clear instruction—watch for “suspicious devices”—but leaves key questions unanswered. Where, exactly, were the “spy turtles” and “spy fish” found?. Which satellites are receiving the data?. And how should ordinary fishermen. researchers. and vessel operators distinguish between alarming equipment and something natural—before a report triggers reward or risk?.
China Ministry of State Security spy turtles spy fish maritime espionage WeChat detection buoys wave glider ocean data naval activities underwater maps