China Alleges Spy Turtles and Fish Deployed by Foreign Intelligence Agencies

Foreign intelligence services are using “spy turtles” and “spy fish” to snoop on China, according to a post by the country’s Ministry of State Security on WeChat social media platform.

The ministry stated that overseas spy agencies have been continuously collecting and stealing sensitive maritime data through various new types of espionage equipment in recent years. This includes “spy turtles and spy fish,” detection buoys, a new type of wave glider, and equipment on ships.

Foreign spy agencies have long tried to analyze Chinese naval activities, create underwater maps of the country’s maritime coastline, and monitor its offshore oil and gas deposits. The ministry urged researchers, fishermen, and vessel owners to remain vigilant and report any suspicious devices.

China has previously rewarded anglers for turning in alleged maritime spy devices, with some receiving up to 500,000 yuan (about $73,000). This is not the first claim of marine animals being deployed for sabotage; in 2019, a Beluga whale was found on the Norwegian coast wearing a harness that appeared to have a mount for a small camera. In 2023, the British military said Russia was training dolphins for combat to counter Ukrainian forces.