Fisherman Jumps into Sea to Rescue Dolphin Entangled in Net
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A Croatian fisherman rescued a dolphin entangled in his net, jumping into the sea to free the animal.
- The fisherman, Dražen Arković, stated this was not his first time saving a dolphin and emphasized the animals' intelligence and sensitivity.
- The act of kindness, captured on video, has been widely praised on social media, reinforcing faith in humanity.
A heartwarming video from Primošten, Croatia, shows a fisherman jumping into the sea without hesitation to rescue a dolphin trapped in his net. The act of compassion has resonated widely on social media, restoring faith in humanity for many.
It's not the first time I've saved a dolphin. Dolphins have all the senses like us, they are mammals. It's not easy, I jumped among all the fish although there is always a danger that inside there is, for example, a gull, a spider, or some other more dangerous fish. I always say, whatever happens, the main thing is to save the dolphin.
Dražen Arković, the 44-year-old fisherman, shared that this was not an isolated incident for him. He explained that dolphins, being mammals, possess senses similar to humans and that he approaches them with care to avoid aggression. Arković described the rescue, noting the inherent risks of jumping into a net that might contain other sea creatures, but stressed his commitment to saving the dolphin.
"When I put my hand on him, he knows I'm here to save him and won't become aggressive," Arković said. He elaborated that the dolphin, initially panicked, calms down upon feeling his hand, recognizing the intent to help. Arković highlighted the intelligence of dolphins, suggesting they perceive more than humans realize.
I'm not afraid of dolphins – when I put my hand on him, he knows I'm here to save him and won't become aggressive. They feel everything.
Having worked in fishing for most of his life, Arković emphasized the need for respect towards the sea, calling it unpredictable. While acknowledging that fishing presents challenges and can involve fear, he stated that the greatest fear is to be afraid. He considers rescuing dolphins not a dangerous situation, but rather a part of the job that brings various challenges.
He is in a panic, fighting for his life and is aggressive until he feels my hand, and then he automatically calms down because he knows I definitely want to help him. Dolphins are very smart animals, they feel more than we think.
The video, shared online, also served as a counterpoint to negative perceptions of fishermen, with one comment noting, "Here's for those who say fishermen kill them." The gesture by Arković underscored the interconnectedness of humans and marine life, earning widespread admiration.
That's what it's like to be a fisherman, this job brings all sorts of challenges, there is fear, but the worst thing is to be afraid. The sea is unpredictable, it must be respected.
Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.