"Beijing Claims 'Invisible Secret War' as Sensor-Equipped Turtles and Fish Spy on Its Waters"

SPY turtles and fish fitted with high-tech sensors have been caught snooping in Chinese waters, Beijing claims.

has accused foreign powers of using marine life to create “underwater maps” of its coastline as part of an “invisible secret war”.

China claims marine fitted with sensors have been discovered spying in their waters Credit: Getty Turtles and fish are said to be gathering key information Credit: Getty – Contributor

‘s Ministry of State Security (MSS) claimed that foreign intelligence agencies are “continuously collecting and stealing sensitive marine data”.

The agency said animals equipped with sophisticated sensors had been discovered gathering information including “water temperature, salinity and ocean currents”.

The MSS also claimed to have recovered surveillance buoys fitted with meteorological and high-precision listening sensors, as well as solar-powered wave gliders.

According to the agency, the devices were capable of capturing real-time port activity and feeding information into a vast “maritime surveillance network”.

The use of marine life for espionage purposes is not a new phenomenon Credit: Alamy China has reportedly offered huge cash rewards for finding any spyware in its waters Credit: Getty

The agency warned that such espionage efforts could allow foreign governments to “identify weak points in China’s coastal defences”, posing a serious threat to national security.

Officials have since called for greater scrutiny of equipment received from abroad and urged fishermen to report anything suspicious.

Chinese media reports say the government is even offering rewards of up to £55,000 for uncovering spy devices in the country’s waters.

Military use of marine animals is nothing new.

The US is known to operate a so-called “” trained to detect mines, which could prove crucial in keeping the hotly-contested Strait of Hormuz open.

The CIA even has a dedicated section on its website detailing the various animals that have been recruited for espionage missions over the years.

also has allegedly developed a dolphin unit to protect waters around naval facilities in Crimea.

A British intelligence report previously claimed Russia had trained bottlenose dolphins kept in floating harbour pens to “counter enemy divers”.

This latest set of allegations comes amid rising tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Both Beijing and Manila lay claim to many of the same features in the disputed waters.

China has accused the Philippines of “causing trouble” by illegally entering its waters, while Manila has accused Beijing of carrying out illegal maritime research.

Earlier this month, tensions flared when a mysterious vessel appeared near the Scarborough Shoal – one of the most contentious features in the South China Sea.

After more than a week of speculation, Chinese state media identified the vessel as a floating “research facility” operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The claims also come after the Five Eyes intelligence alliance – comprising the UK, US, , and – warned of Chinese agents posing as recruiters.

The operatives allegedly advertised bogus job opportunities in an attempt to obtain sensitive information.

This week, the seized the domains of 13 fake consulting companies accused of posting job adverts targeting current and former US security clearance holders.