What do you think Santiago means by his comment on page 75. " I'm glad we do not have to kill the stars"?

As the sun sets again, Santiago ties together two oars across the stern to create more drag. Looking up into the night sky, Santiago calls the stars his friends and says, "The fish is my friend too... I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I am glad we do not have to try to kill the stars" (75). Santiago feels a connection with the universe and its natural elements.