News & Media

August 07, 2006

Omega Protein Reports 3 Cents Per Share Second Quarter Profit

HOUSTON, August 7, 2006 – Omega Protein Corporation (NYSE symbol: OME), the nation's leading producer of Omega-3 fish oil and specialty fish meal products, today reported net income of $630,000 (3 cents a share) for the second quarter of 2006, compared with net income of $659,000 (3 cents a share) for the second quarter of the previous year.

Revenues for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006 were $33.3 million compared with revenues of $27.5 million for the comparable quarter in 2005. Omega Protein recorded operating income of $1.5 million for the 2006 second quarter, versus operating income of $0.8 million for the second quarter of 2005.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the Company had revenues of $61.6 million, compared with $51.3 million in revenues for the first six months of 2005. Omega Protein recorded operating income of $4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, versus operating income of $1.0 million for the comparable period a year earlier. The Company had net income of $3.2 million (13 cents a share) for the six months ended June 30, 2006, compared with net income of $766,000 (3 cents a share) for the six months ended June 30, 2005.

Omega Protein's second quarter results, as well as the results for the first six months of 2006, reflect increased margins primarily due to higher sales prices received during the current year, partially offset by increased costs of production.

About Omega Protein
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 forwardlooking 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® 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 2006 Annual Report on Form 10K under the headings, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition" and "Risk Factors."


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Key Media Contact

Sarah London
Marketing Department
Omega Protein Corporation
2105 City West Blvd, Suite 500
Houston, Texas 77042-2838
1.800.345.8805 or 713.623.0060
Fax 713.940.6166
inquire@omegaproteininc.com

For analyst and financial media relations, please contact Robert W. Stockton at 713.623.0060.