Beijing Reveals Use of 'spy Turtles' and 'fish' for Surveillance

WHO:

[08:15 EDT] - CBS News - China's Ministry of State Security

[08:15 EDT] - CBS News - Foreign intelligence services

The Guardian - British intelligence

The Guardian - Russian navy

WHAT:

[08:15 EDT] - CBS News - China claims that foreign intelligence services are using "spy turtles" and "spy fish" for surveillance.

[08:15 EDT] - CBS News - The Ministry stated that these animals are fitted with sensors to collect ocean data and transmit it to overseas satellites.

The Guardian - The ministry warned of an "invisible secret war" involving the collection of sensitive marine data.

The Guardian - The ministry reported that large marine animals are collecting data such as water temperature, salinity, and ocean currents in real time.

[08:15 EDT] - CBS News - China has previously rewarded anglers for reporting alleged spy devices, with some receiving up to 500,000 yuan (about $73,000).

The Guardian - The ministry cited the discovery of buoys equipped with meteorological sensors tracking Chinese submarines.

The Guardian - A new type of "wave glider" powered by wave motion and solar energy is reportedly used to transmit military-related maritime data.

WHERE:

[08:15 EDT] - CBS News - Chinese waters

The Guardian - Seas around China

The Guardian - South China Sea, East China Sea, Taiwan Strait

WHEN:

[08:15 EDT] - CBS News - The ministry's claims were made in a post on WeChat on a Friday.

The Guardian - In 2023, British intelligence reported on Russia training dolphins for combat.

The Guardian - In 2024, China claimed to have identified "lighthouses" on the ocean floor for guiding foreign submarines.

WHY:

[08:15 EDT] - CBS News - The ministry claims that foreign agencies are trying to analyze Chinese naval activities and monitor offshore oil and gas deposits.

The Guardian - The ministry stated that the espionage poses a "serious threat to our national security."

HOW:

[08:15 EDT] - CBS News - The animals are allegedly fitted with sensors to swim in specific areas and collect data.

The Guardian - The ministry mentioned the use of various new spying devices, including detection buoys and wave gliders.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 13:58 UTC)

China's Ministry of State Security has made startling claims that foreign intelligence services are deploying "spy turtles" and "spy fish" equipped with sensors to gather ocean data and relay it to overseas satellites. The ministry warns of an "invisible secret war" over sensitive marine data collection, citing the use of large marine animals to monitor critical information like water temperature and salinity, as well as the discovery of buoys tracking Chinese submarines. Additionally, China has previously incentivized local anglers for reporting these alleged spy devices, with rewards reaching up to 500,000 yuan, which is about $73,000.