OME Omega Protein Corp.

Omega Protein Reports 3 Cents Per Share First Quarter Profit HOUSTON, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Omega Protein Corporation , the world's largest manufacturer of heart-healthy fish oils containing long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids, today reported net income for the first quarter of 2004 of $646,000 (3 cents per share), compared with net income of $2.6 million, or 11 cents a share, for the first quarter of the previous year. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030516/OMEGALOGO ) Revenues for the first quarter of 2004, which ended March 31, were $25.1 million, versus revenues of $25.1 million for the year-earlier quarter. Omega Protein had operating income of $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2004, compared with operating income of $4.2 million in the comparable quarter of the previous year. First quarter 2004 margins were reduced from the prior year's comparable quarter due to higher cost inventory being carried forward into 2004. Omega Protein Corporation is the nation's largest manufacturer of heart- healthy fish oils containing Omega-3 fatty acids for human consumption, as well as specialty fish meals and fish oil used as value-added ingredients in aquaculture, swine and other livestock feeds. Omega Protein makes its products from menhaden, an Omega-3 rich fish that is not utilized as seafood, but which is abundantly available along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coasts. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward- looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual results of future events described in any of these forward-looking statements could differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to be materially different from those forward-looking statements include, among others, (1) the Company's ability to meet its raw material requirements through its annual menhaden harvest, which is subject to fluctuations due to natural conditions over which the Company has no control, such as varying fish population, fish oil yields, adverse weather conditions and disease; (2) the impact of worldwide supply and demand relationships on prices for the Company's products; (3) Omega Protein's expectations regarding demand for OmegaPure(TM) proving to be incorrect; and (4) fluctuations in the Company's quarterly operating results due to the seasonality of the Company's business and its deferral of inventory sales based on worldwide prices for competing products. These and other factors are described in further detail in Omega's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its 2003 Annual Report on Form 10K under the headings, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Risk Factors and Significant Factors That May Affect Forward-Looking Statements" and "-Seasonal and Quarterly Results." OMEGA PROTEIN CORPORATION STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 2003 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Revenues $25,056 $25,101 Cost of sales 21,382 18,679 Gross profit 3,674 6,422 Selling, general and administrative expense 2,462 2,196 Operating income 1,212 4,226 Interest expense, net (187) (154) Other income (expense), net (56) 21 Income before income taxes 969 4,093 Provision for income taxes 323 1,446 Net income $646 $2,647 Basic earnings per share $0.03 $0.11 Average common shares outstanding 24,405 23,983 Diluted earnings per share $0.02 $0.10 Average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding 26,343 25,433 OMEGA PROTEIN CORPORATION CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) March 31, December 31, 2004 2003 (in thousands, except per share amounts) ASSETS Current assets $93,272 $97,445 Property and equipment, net 86,957 85,231 Deferred tax assets, net 107 405 Other assets 2,576 3,087 Total assets $182,912 $186,168 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities $12,761 $16,508 Long-term debt 17,196 17,605 Other long-term liabilities 7,012 6,838 Stockholders' equity 145,943 145,217 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $182,912 $186,168 BOOK VALUE PER SHARE OUTSTANDING $5.98 $5.95 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030516/OMEGALOGO DATASOURCE: Omega Protein Corporation CONTACT: Investor Relations of Omega Protein Corporation, +1-713-623-0060, or Web site: http://www.buyomegaprotein.com/

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