China has issued an extraordinary warning: foreign spy agencies are allegedly using “spy turtles” and “spy fish” – marine animals fitted with sensors – to snoop on its coastal waters and naval activities. Researchers, fishermen, and vessel owners have been urged to report suspicious devices, and previous cases have seen Chinese anglers rewarded with tens of thousands of dollars for turning in alleged spy gear. What makes this even more explosive is the timing: the warning comes as China steps up seabed mapping near Taiwan, fuelling speculation that both Beijing and its rivals are racing to dominate the underwater battlespace before any future conflict. Is this genuine counter‑espionage, information warfare, or both?