After the first night, Santiago's attitude towards the large fish remains full of respect and determination. When the sun shows on the horizon, he says,
"Fish...I love and you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends".
Santiago, in all his dealings with nature, maintains a fine harmonic balance between taking and appreciating life. He knows that, in order to survive, he must catch and kill the creatures of the sea, yet he has a deep respect and love for them as well. Santiago is one with nature, and the wildlife are his brothers. As he expresses when he speaks to the warbler who stops to rest on the stern of his boat, Santiago understands that each creature, man included, must go out "and take (his) chance like any man or bird or fish".
While doing what he must do to survive, Santiago treats his prey with dignity and compassion, just as he would want to be treated. When he catches the small albacore at the beginning of his fateful voyage, he hits the captured fish on the head "for kindness", so it will not suffer in its dying. He will then use the fish's meat for bait.
Santiago also loves the big sea turtles, and eats their white eggs to "give himself strength". He notes that "most people are heartless about turtles because a turtle's heart will beat for hours after he has been cut up and butchered", but he himself appreciates the turtles because he has "such a heart too and (his) feet and hands are like theirs".
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