Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.14

                    CHANGE OF CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

     This Change of Control and Severance Agreement dated and effective as of
March 15, 2000 (this "Agreement") is entered into by and between Omega Protein
Corporation, a Nevada corporation with headquarters in Houston, Texas (the
"Company" or "Omega"), and John D. Held, an individual residing in Harris
County, Texas (the "Employee")

     WHEREAS, the Employee has formerly served the Company as a consultant on a
part-time basis providing, among other things, legal and administrative
services, claims management, advice on strategic planning and financing
alternatives; and

     WHEREAS, the Company now desires to hire the Employee as a full-time
employee to be able to avail itself of his services on a full-time basis and
help implement the Company's business plan and manage the Company's future
growth; and

     WHEREAS, Employee is willing to terminate his other consulting and business
relationships and become an employee of the Company on a full-time basis on the
terms and conditions set forth herein; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide the Employee with certain
assurances regarding his employment in the event of termination of Employee's
employment or a Change of Control of the Company;

     THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual provisions
contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties
hereto agree with each other as follows:

     1. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the
following definitions:

"Change of Control" means (1) that point in time in which Joseph L. von
Rosenberg III no longer serves for any reason as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, or (2) that point in time in which a person,
entity or group (as such terms are defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) other than (a) the Company or its subsidiaries,
or (b) Zapata Corporation (which as of the date of this Agreement currently owns
approximately 61% of the Company's outstanding common stock), directly or
indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (as defined in Section 13(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act) of thirty percent (30%) or more of the then outstanding
shares of common stock of the Company as a result of such acquisition (provided,
however, that such Change of Control does not occur solely as a result of a
reduction in the number of shares of Company common stock outstanding due to a
repurchase of Company common stock by the Company or its subsidiaries).

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For purposes of this Agreement, the Change of Control will be deemed to occur on
the effective date on which such person or entity acquires beneficial ownership
of at least one share greater than thirty percent (30%) of the then outstanding.
Zapata Corporation is not an intended third party beneficiary of this Agreement
so that if, for example, Zapata Corporation were to sell all of its shares of
Omega common stock to a third party which, as a result of that transaction, then
owned greater than 30% of the Company's then outstanding common stock, a Change
of Control would have occurred.

"Constructive Termination" means (i) the termination of the Employee's
employment for any reason other than death, Due Cause or Disability, (ii) a
demotion of the Employee to a lesser position than the position held by the
Employee immediately prior to the Change of Control or a material change in the
Employee's responsibilities that are substantially similar to such a demotion;
(iii) any decrease in the Employee's base salary or removal or diminishment of
his right to participate in Medical Plans or Compensation Plans in which any
senior executive of the Company participates, in a manner consistent with the
participation of such senior executives; or (iv) any requirement that the
Employee move his permanent resident or spend substantial amounts of time
outside the Houston, Texas and surrounding suburbs area.

"Compensation Plans" means any incentive plan, bonus plan, 401(k) plan, pension
plan, stock option or award plan, deferred compensation plan or other
performance-based awards, arrangements, plans, or programs established,
maintained or sponsored by the Company.

"Disability" means the inability or incapacity (by reason of a medically
determinable physical or mental impairment) of the Employee to perform the
essential functions of the job then assigned to him hereunder for a period that
can be reasonably expected to last more than 120 days.

"Due Cause" means: (i) the Employee's final conviction of a felony crime that
enriched the Employee at the expense of the Company; or (ii) the Employee has
deliberately and intentionally refused to carry out his duties in gross
dereliction of those duties and, after receiving written notice to such effect
from the Company, has failed to cure the existing problem within five days. For
purposes of determining whether Due Cause has occurred, no act or failure to act
on the part of the Employee shall be considered "deliberate and intentional"
unless it is taken or omitted to be taken by the Employee in bad faith or
without a reasonable belief that the Employee's act or omission was in the best
interests of the Company.

"Medical Plans" means any medical, dental, disability, accident, hospitalization
or life insurance plans or programs established, maintained or sponsored by the
Company.

     2. Employment. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein,
the Company hereby employs the Employee and the Employee hereby accepts
employment with the Company as General Counsel and Director of Planning and
Development. The Employee will perform the duties, functions and services as the

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Chief Executive Officer of the Company may from time to time request. The
Employee will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

     3. Compensation and Other Employee Benefits. As compensation for the
Employee's services hereunder, the Company will:

          (a) pay to the Employee an annual base salary (the "Base Salary"),
subject to such withholdings or other deductions as may be required by
applicable laws or regulations, of $150,000 in accordance with the then current
payroll policies of the Company which Base Salary will be subject to increase
(but not decrease) at the discretion of the Company; and

          (b) afford the Employee the right to participate in any Compensation
Plans in which any senior executive of the Company participates, in a manner
consistent with the participation of such senior executives; and

          (c) afford the Employee the right to participate in any Medical Plans
in which any senior executive of the Company participates, in a manner
consistent with the participation of such senior executives; and

          (d) subject to the requirements of the business expense reimbursement
policies and procedures of the Company as in effect from time to time, reimburse
the Employee for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses he incurs in the course
of performing his duties hereunder; and

          (e) provide employee with three weeks of paid vacation per year or
such greater amounts as may be afforded to key employees under the Company's
policies in effect from time to time.

     4. Termination of Employment. (a) For Due Cause. If the Company has Due
Cause to terminate the Employee's employment, the Company will be entitled to
terminate the Employee's Employment at any time by delivering written notice of
that termination to the Employee, in which event (i) that termination will be
effective immediately on the delivery of that notice, (ii) the Company will pay
to the Employee his Base Salary accrued and unpaid to the date of that
termination and (iii) all the rights and benefits the Employee may have under
the Compensation Plans and Medical Plans of the Company will be determined in
accordance with the terms and conditions of those plans.

          (b) Death or Disability. If the Employee dies or suffers a Disability,
(i) the Employee's employment will terminate on the date of his death or
Disability, (ii) the Company will pay to the Employee or his estate the
Employee's Base Salary accrued and unpaid through the end of the month in which
he died or became disabled, and (iii) all the rights and benefits the Employee
(or his estate) may have under the Compensation Plans and Medical Plans of the
Company will be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of those
plans.

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          (c) Voluntary Termination by Employee. The Employee may voluntarily
terminate his Employment at any time by providing at least 20 days' prior
written notice to the Company, in which event, (i) the Company will pay to the
Employee his Base Salary accrued and unpaid to the date the employment
terminates, and (ii) all the rights and benefits the Employee may have under the
Compensation Plans and Medical Plans of the Company will be determined in
accordance with the terms and conditions of those plans.

          (d) Voluntary Termination by Company. The Company will be entitled to
terminate the Employee's employment at any time for any reason. The severance
payments and benefits paid to Employee as a result of voluntary termination by
the Company will differ depending on whether such termination takes place before
or after a Change of Control has occurred as set forth below.

          (i) Prior to a Change in Control. If, prior to a Change of Control,
the Company terminates the Employee's employment for any reason other than Due
Cause or the Employee's Disability, or if a Constructive Termination occurs,
then (a) the Company will pay to the Employee his Base Salary in accordance with
the then current payroll policies of the Company for an eighteen month period
following such termination or Constructive Termination, (b) afford the Employee
the right to participate in any Medical Plans in which any senior executive of
the Company participates, and in a manner consistent with the participation of
such senior executives for an eighteen month period after such termination or
Constructive Termination (provided, however, that if the terms of any such plan
preclude the Employee's continued participation therein, if Employee's continued
participation in any such plan could reasonably be expected to disqualify that
plan under any applicable tax regulation, or if Employee voluntarily elects not
to participate in such plan, then the Employee shall not be entitled to
participate in that plan, but the Company instead shall provide the Employee
with the after-tax equivalent of the COBRA payments necessary for the Employee
and his family to participate in that or a similar plan for the remainder of
that eighteen month period), and (c) all the rights and benefits the Employee
may have under the Compensation Plans of the Company will be determined in
accordance with the terms and conditions of those plans.

          (ii) After a Change of Control. If, after a Change of Control, the
Company terminates the Employee's employment for any reason other than Due Cause
or the Employee's Disability, or if a Constructive Termination occurs, then (a)
the Company shall promptly (and no later than 10 days after the termination or
Constructive Termination) pay to the Employee a one-time cash payment equal to
2.99 times that amount which is equal to (i) the Employee's highest Base Salary
plus (ii) the most recent cash bonus previously paid to Employee for any period
prior to the Change of Control; and (b) the Company shall afford the Employee
the right to participate in any Medical Plans in which any senior executive of
the Company participates, and in a manner consistent with the participation of
such senior executives for a three year

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period after such termination or Constructive Termination (provided, however,
that if the terms of any such plan preclude the Employee's continued
participation therein, if Employee's continued participation in any such plan
could reasonably be expected to disqualify that plan under any applicable tax
regulation, or if Employee voluntarily elects not to participate in such plan,
then the Employee shall not be entitled to participate in that plan, but the
Company instead shall provide the Employee with the after-tax equivalent of the
COBRA payments necessary for the Employee and his family to participate in that
or a similar plan for the remainder of that three year period), and (c) all the
rights and benefits the Employee may have under the Compensation Plans of the
Company will be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of those
plans.

     5. Covenant Not to Compete. The Employee recognizes that the Company is
engaged in a highly competitive businesses and that retaining the accounts and
goodwill of present customers and protecting the business of the Company is of
utmost importance. The Employee, therefore, agrees that during the term of his
employment and for a period of three years after the date of termination of
employment for any reason, he will not, within 50 miles of any Company facility
or office (i) accept employment or render service to any person that is engaged
in a business directly competitive with the business then engaged in by the
Company or (ii) enter into or take part in or lend his name, counsel or
assistance to any business, either as proprietor, principal, investor, partner,
director, officer, employee, consultant, advisor, agent, independent contractor,
or in any other capacity whatsoever, for any purpose that would be competitive
with the business of the Company.

     If the provisions of this Section 5 are violated in any material respect,
the Company shall be entitled, upon application to any court of proper
jurisdiction, to a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction
(without the necessity of posting any bond with respect thereto) to restrain and
enjoin the Employee from that violation. If the provisions of this Section 5
should ever be deemed to exceed the time, geographic or occupational limitations
permitted by the applicable law, the Employee and the Company agree that such
provisions shall be and are hereby reformed to the maximum time, geographic or
occupational limitations permitted by the applicable law.

     6. Confidential Information. The Employee acknowledges that he has had and
will continue to have access to trade secrets and other confidential, nonpublic
and/or proprietary information of the Company, including information derived
from reports, investigations, research, marketing and sale programs, strategic
plans, customer lists, records Confidential Information. The Employee agrees,
therefore, that he will not at any time, either while employed by the Company or
afterwards, knowingly make any independent use of, or knowingly disclose to any
other person any Confidential Information. Confidential Information shall not
include (i) information that becomes known to the public generally through no
fault of the Employee, (ii) information required to be disclosed by law or legal
process or the order of any governmental authority under color of law, or (iii)
the Employee reasonably believes that such disclosure is required in connection
with the defense of a lawsuit against the Employee.

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In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Employee of the provisions
of this Section 6 with respect to any Confidential Information, the Company
shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order and a preliminary and
permanent injunction (without the necessity of posting any bond in connection
therewith) restraining the Employee from disclosing, in whole or in part, that
Confidential Information.

     7. Indemnification. (a) General. The Company shall indemnify, and advance
expenses to, Employee as provided in this Agreement and to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof and as amended from
time to time.

          (b) Proceedings Other than Proceedings By or in the Right of the
Company. Employee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in
this Section 7 if, by reason of his status as an employee of the Company, he is,
or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any threatened,
pending, or completed proceeding other than a proceeding by or in the right of
the Company. Pursuant to this Section 7(b), the Company shall indemnify Employee
against, and shall hold Employee harmless from and in respect of, all expenses,
judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all
interest, assessments and other charges) actually and reasonably incurred by him
or on his behalf in connection with such proceeding or any claim, issue or
matter therein, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect
to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.

          (c) Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company. Employee shall be
entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 7(c) if, by
reason of his status as an employee of the Company, he is, or is threatened to
be made, a party to or a participant in any threatened, pending or completed
proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in
its favor. Pursuant to this Section 7(c), the Company shall indemnify Employee
against, and shall hold Employee harmless from and in respect of, all expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such
proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; provided, however,
that, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such expenses
shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to
which Employee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and
to the extent that the court in which such proceeding shall have been brought or
is pending, shall determine that such indemnification may be made.

          (d) Advancement of Expenses. The Company shall advance all expenses
incurred by or on behalf of Employee in connection with any proceeding within
ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from
Employee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to
or after final disposition of such proceeding. Such statement or statements
shall reasonably evidence the expenses incurred by Employee and shall include or
be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of Employee to
repay any Expenses

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advanced if it ultimately shall be determined that Employee is not entitled to
be indemnified against such expenses.

          (e) Presumption. In making a determination with respect to entitlement
to indemnification hereunder, the persons making such determination shall
presume that Employee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if
Employee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with this
Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that
presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of
any determination contrary to that presumption.

          (f) Other Rights. The rights of indemnification and to receive
advancement of expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which Employee may at any time be entitled
under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-Laws, any other
agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No
amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof
shall limit or restrict any right of Employee under this Agreement in respect of
any action taken or omitted by such Employee in his status as an employee prior
to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in law
(whether by statute or judicial decision) permits greater indemnification by
agreement than would be afforded currently under this Agreement, it is the
intent of the parties hereto that Employee shall enjoy by this Agreement the
greater benefits so afforded by such change.

          (g) Duration. Section 7 of this Agreement shall continue until and
terminate upon the later of: (a) ten years after the date that Employee shall
have ceased to serve as a employee of the Company or of any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise
which Employee served on behalf of the Company; or (b) the final termination of
any proceeding then pending in respect of which Employee is granted rights of
indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder.

     8. Intended Benefits; Payment of Expenses. In entering into this Agreement
the Company intends that the Employee receive without reduction or delay all the
intended benefits of this Agreement and that those benefits, and the terms and
conditions hereof, be construed in a manner most favorable to the Employee. The
Company agrees that it will strive expeditiously and in absolute good faith to
construe and resolve in the Employee's favor and to his benefit any ambiguities
or uncertainties that may be created by the express language hereof. If,
however, at any time:(i) there should exist a dispute or conflict between the
Employee and the Company or another person or entity as to the validity,
interpretation or application of any term or condition hereof, or as to the
Employee's entitlement to any benefit intended to be bestowed hereby, which is
not resolved to the satisfaction of the Employee, or (ii) the Employee must (A)
defend the validity of this Agreement, or (B) contest any determination by the
Company concerning the amounts payable by the Company to the Employee or the
Employee's rights to the other benefits conferred under this Agreement, then the
Company hereby unconditionally agrees: (a) on written demand of the Company by
the

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Employee, to provide sums sufficient to advance and pay on a current basis
(either by paying directly or by reimbursing the Employee) not less than ten
days after a written request therefor is submitted by the Employee, the
Employee's out of pocket costs and expenses (including attorney's fees, expenses
of investigation, travel, lodging, copying, delivery services and disbursements
for the fees and expenses of experts, etc.) incurred by the Employee in
connection with any such matter; (b) the Employee shall be entitled, upon
application to any court of competent jurisdiction, to the entry of a mandatory
injunction without the necessity of posting any bond with respect thereto which
compels the Company to pay or advance such costs and expenses on a current
basis; and (c) the Company's obligations under this Section 8 will not be
affected if the Employee is not the prevailing party in the final resolution of
any such matter. Any Employee out of pocket costs or expenses that have not been
so advanced at the conclusion of the matter shall be paid by Company to the
Employee as part of the resolution of the matter.

     9. Resolution of Disputes. If a dispute (other than a dispute regarding the
Employee's rights to the payment or advancement of expenses and legal fees on a
current basis pursuant to Section 8) arises between the Company and the Employee
and they fail to resolve that dispute by direct negotiation, the Company and the
Employee agree that the next step taken to resolve that dispute, prior to either
party initiating any litigation to resolve that dispute shall be to submit the
dispute to an agreed Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") process, to which
process the parties shall strive diligently in good faith to agree within ten
business days after either party has given written notice to the other party
that it is unable to concur in the other party's final proposed negotiated
resolution of the dispute. If the Company and the Employee are unable to agree
in writing to an acceptable ADR process within that ten business day period,
then the parties shall submit to a mandatory ADR process by making joint
application to the then Chief United States Federal District Judge in the
Southern District of Texas for the selection of an ADR process for the parties.
The parties shall diligently in good faith participate in the ADR process chosen
by that judge. If the parties are unable to resolve their dispute after diligent
good faith participation in the ADR process, then either party shall be free to
initiate such litigation (in accordance with section 10) as that party deems
appropriate under the circumstances. Under no circumstances shall the Employee
be obligated to pay for the cost of any ADR process or to pay or reimburse the
Company for any attorneys' fees, costs or other expenses incurred by the Company
in connection with any process undertaken by the Employee to resolve disputes
under this Agreement. Any dispute that relates to the Employee's rights to the
payment or advancement of expenses and legal fees on a current basis pursuant to
Section 9 shall not be subject to this section.

     10. Jurisdiction and Venue. The Company irrevocably consents with respect
to any action, suit or other legal proceeding pertaining directly to this
Agreement or to the interpretation or enforcement of any of Employee's right
hereunder to service of process in the State of Texas, County of Harris, and
hereby waives any right to contest or oppose receipt of such service of process.
The Company irrevocably (i) agrees that any such action, suit or other legal
proceeding may be brought in the courts and county

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of such state or in United States District Court for the Southern District of
Texas, (ii) consents to the jurisdiction of each such court in any such action,
suit or other legal proceeding and (iii) waives any objection it may have to the
laying of venue of any such action, suit or other legal proceeding in any of
such courts.

     11. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications given
under or by reason of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed given
when delivered in person or when mailed, by certified mail (return receipt
requested), postage prepaid, addressed as follows (or to such other address as a
party may specify by notice pursuant to this provision):

(a)  If to the Company:

Omega Protein Corporation
1717 St. James Place, Suite 550
Houston, Texas 77056
Attn: Chief Executive Officer

(b)  If to the Employee:

John D. Held
4503 Park Court
Bellaire, Texas 77401

     12. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the substantive laws (other than the rules governing conflicts
of laws) of the State of Texas.

     13. Term. The term of this Agreement shall continue in effect until an
event specified in Section 4 shall have occurred, at which point the provisions
of those sections will control and after the completion of the requirements of
such provisions, this Agreement will terminate, except for the provisions of
Section 7 which shall remain in effect as set forth in such Section 7.

     14. Entire Agreement and Amendments. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the Employee and the Company relating to the matters contained
herein and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written,
between the Employee and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof.
This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an agreement in writing
signed by both parties.

     15. Headings. The headings of sections and subsections hereof are included
solely for convenience of reference and will not control the meaning or
interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

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     16. Tax Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the
Company may withhold from amounts payable hereunder all federal, state, local
and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld by applicable laws or
regulations.

     17. Separability. If any provision of this Agreement is rendered or
declared illegal, invalid or unenforceable by reason of any existing or
subsequently enacted legislation or by the final judgment of any court of
competent jurisdiction, the Employee and the Company will promptly meet and
negotiate substitute provisions for those rendered or declared illegal or
unenforceable to preserve the original intent of this Agreement to the extent
legally possible, but all other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect.

     18. Assignments. The Company may assign this Agreement to any person or
entity succeeding to all or substantially all the business interests of the
Company by merger or otherwise with the written consent of the Employee. The
rights and obligations of the Employee under this Agreement are personal to him,
and none of those rights, benefits or obligations will be subject to voluntary
or involuntary alienation, assignment or transfer.

     19. Effect of Agreement. Subject to the provisions of Section 18 with
respect to assignments, this Agreement will be binding on the Employee and his
heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns and on the
Company and its successors and assigns, except as otherwise contemplated hereby.

     20. Execution. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which will be deemed an original and all of which will constitute one
and the same agreement.

     21. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party to this Agreement of a
breach of any provision of the Agreement by the other party will not operate or
be construed as a waiver by the waiving party of any subsequent breach by the
other party.

     22. No Set-Off. The Company's obligations to make the payments provided for
in, and otherwise to perform its undertakings in, this Agreement shall not be
affected by any right of set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
action, claim or right the Company may have against the Employee or others. In
no event shall the Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any
other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Employee under
any provision hereof, and those amounts shall not be reduced, regardless of
whether the Employee obtains other employment or becomes self-employed.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employee and the Company have executed this
Agreement effective as of the date first written above.

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OMEGA PROTEIN CORPORATION                           EMPLOYEE

By:   /s/ Joseph L. von Rosenberg III                   /s/ John D. Held
    ----------------------------------              ----------------------------
    Joseph L. von Rosenberg III                     John D. Held
    President and Chief Executive Officer

                                       11<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                                Commercial Lease
                                ----------------

BY   LEASE BY THE EDSON GROUP                    STATE OF LOUISIANA
     LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

TO:  OMEGA PROTEIN, INC.                         PARISH OF TANGIPAHOA

1.   PARTIES:

     The Edson Group, Limited Partnership (hereinafter called Lessor) hereby
leases to Omega Protein, Inc., a Virginia corporation (hereafter called Lessee)
the following described premises:

2.   PREMISES:

     The building space and designated parking areas located at 835A Pride

Drive, Hammond, Louisiana, 70401

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: See attached Exhibit"A"

3.   TERM:

     Unless sooner terminated under the provisions of this lease, the term of
this lease is sixty (60) months beginning on the 1st day of October, 2000, and
ending on the 30th day of September, 2005, at midnight.

4.   RENTAL:

     This lease is made for and in consideration of the covenants herein
contained and a monthly rental which Lessee shall pay to Lessor as directed; the
first payment shall be due and payable on the signing of the lease; the
succeeding payments shall he paid, in advance, on the first day of each and
every month, commencing on November 1, 2000 at Post Office Box 127, Hammond,
Louisiana, 70404 or at such other place as Lessor may designate by written
notice to Lessee; said rental shall be in the amount of FOURTEEN THOUSAND ONE
HUNDRED EIGHTEEN AND NO/100 ($14,118.00) DOLLARS per month for the first year
and the monthly rental for each year thereafter shall increase by 2.75% per
year.

5.   DELINQUENT RENTAL:

     Rent not received by Lessor on the date due shall be deemed delinquent and
shall bear interest at the rate of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) per month
from the date same is due until
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paid, reserving to Lessor the right to take such action as is provided for under
the paragraph entitled, "DEFAULT."

6.   UTILITIES:

     Lessee further agrees to assume responsibility for maintaining and paying
electricity and telephone services associated with Lessee's occupancy of the
leased premises. Lessor agrees to assume responsibility for maintaining and
paying for water and sewerage associated with the leased premises.

7.   LAWS, ORDINANCES:

     Lessee further agrees to comply, at Lessee's expense, with all ordinances
and laws, now existing or to be enacted with respect to the leased premises
which relate to Lessee's business.

8.   USE:

     The premises leased herein are to be used only for office and clerical
purposes.

9.   PEACEFUL POSSESSION:

         Lessor covenants and agrees to take all necessary steps to secure and
maintain for the benefit of Lessee the Peaceful Possession of the Leased
Premises. Lessor shall not allow any other Lessees in the building to create or
cause an unreasonable annoyance to Lessee or interfere in any way with Lessee's
Peaceful Possession of the Leased Premises.

10.  ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS:

     Neither Lessor nor Lessee shall make any additions or alterations to the
leased premises without prior written permission from the other. Should any
addition or alteration made by Lessee cause any increase in the insurance rate
on the premises, Lessee agrees to pay such increase in addition to the rental.
However, nothing shall be placed or done upon the premises by Lessee which will
cause forfeiture of any insurance. All additions, alterations or improvements
made by Lessee with or without consent of Lessor, no matter how attached (except
movable trade fixtures), must remain the property of the Lessor, unless
otherwise stipulated herein, Lessee, however, expressly waiving all right to
compensation therefor. The Lessor, at his option, may require the building to be
replaced in its original condition except for those alterations and/or additions
made with the permission of Lessor as per Addendum Two.

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     Lessee may remove its trade fixtures, office supplies and movable office
furniture and equipment not affixed to the premises provided: (a) such removal
is made prior to the termination of the term of this Lease; (b) Lessee is not in
default of any monthly rental payment obligation under this Lease at the time of
the such removal; and (c) Lessee promptly repairs all damage caused by such
removal.

11.  RESTORATION:

     Unless otherwise permitted by Section 10 hereof, Lessor shall have the
option to demand at any time that the premises be restored to its original
condition, normal wear and tear excepted, and that unauthorized alterations made
by Lessee be removed and/or repaired at Lessee's expense.

12.  ACCESS:

     Lessor shall have access to and shall have the right to enter the premises
at any time with reasonable notice to and consent of Lessee which consent shall
not be reasonably withheld or delayed for the purposes of repair, inspection, or
exhibition to prospective lessees. Lessor shall retain at all times a set of
keys to the premises for his own use for the above purposes. Lessee shall not
change the locks on any interior or exterior doors without written notice to
Lessor and in such case Lessee must provide Lessor immediately with a duplicate
set of keys for the new locks. Lessor shall use all reasonable efforts to
minimize interference or disruption of Lessee's business.

13.  CONDITION OF PREMISES:

     Lessee accepts the leased premises and all appurtenances, including locks,
keys, doors, glass, plumbing, lighting and electrical fixtures, air conditioning
and heating systems, and grounds in their present "as is" condition. However,
Lessor agrees that the transformer contained in the mechanical room will be
repaired and/or replaced prior to October 1, 2000. Lessor makes no warranties as
to the general fitness of said prem ses and appurtenances except that the air
conditioning and heating systems will be in working condition at the
commencement of the lease. Lessee agrees to keep all systems in good operating
condition during the term of the lease at its expense and to return them to
Lessor in good operating condition at the termination of the lease, normal
decay, wear, and tear excepted.

14.  TERMINATION:

     Upon termination of the lease, Lessee agrees to vacate the premises
promptly leaving them in a neat operational and broom clean condition, turning
over all keys to the Lessor. For every day

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

after the termination of the lease that the Lessee remains on the premises or
delays in leaving the premises in the condition described above, he agrees to
pay daily liquidated damages of one tenth of the monthly rental.

15.  REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE-LESSEE:

     Lessee will make, at its own expense, all reasonably necessary repairs to
keep and maintain the premises in good order and in operating condition. Lessee
is obligated to maintain and repair all plumbing and plumbing fixtures, drains;
windows; glass; doors; light fixtures; electrical wiring, conduits, switch and
fuse boxes; motors, ducts, and outlets within the leased premises.

     Should Lessee fail to make such repairs or provide such maintenance as he
is obligated to hereunder, Lessor may, at his option, after ten (10) days Notice
of Lessee, cause the repairs or maintenance to be made and Lessee agrees to
reimburse Lessor for the cost thereof, reserving to Lessor the further right to
take such action as is provided for under the paragraph entitled "DEFAULT."

16.  REPAIRS-LESSOR:

     The following repairs shall be due by Lessor:

     (1) All repairs necessary to maintain roof, foundations, exterior
structural and load bearing walls of the building; and

     (2) Such repairs as may be rendered necessary to the roof and basic
exterior structure walls by windstorm, earthquake, or other natural disaster
such as may be caused by fire. No repairs shall be due by Lessor which are made
necessary by the fault or negligence of Lessee or that of others who have
entered upon the premises at Lessee's request or with his permission, or by the
fault or negligence of Lessee's business invitees. Lessee agrees to report
within reasonable time to Lessor any material damage to the leased premises.
Upon Lessee's failure to do so, he shall be bound to repair any consequent or
resulting damage.

17.  DESTRUCTION OF PREMISES:

     If premises are totally destroyed (or so substantially damaged as to be
untenantable), this lease shall terminate as of the date of such destruction or
damage and rental shall be accounted for as between Lessor and Lessee as of that
date. If premises are damaged but not rendered wholly untenantable and the
damage can be fully repaired in ninety (90) days, rental shall abate in
proportion as the premises have been damaged and Lessor shall restore within
said time limit, whereupon rent

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

in full shall re-commence. Should Lessor fail or refuse to fully repair the
premises within the said ninety (90) days, Lessee may terminate this lease
agreement. No further compensation shall be due Lessee except remission of rent
as stated herein.

18.  LIABILITY AND INSURANCE:

     Lessee hereby assumes total responsibility for the condition and use of the
premises upon commencement of this Lease and for the contents, and agrees to
hold harmless, indemnify and defend Lessor from any claims, actions or causes of
action which may arise therefrom, during the term of the lease, or while Lessee
occupies the premises, or which may arise after the termination of the lease
from the fault of the Lessee, its employees, agents or invitees. Lessee further
agrees to maintain public liability insurance covering the condition and use of
the premises with limits of at least ONE MILLION AND NO/100 ($1,000,000.00)
DOLLARS and to name Lessor as an additional insured therein, with waiver of
subrogation; and to furnish evidence of same upon demand.

     Lessor shall be liable to Lessee for damage(s) resulting from the negligent
acts or omissions of Lessor or its authorized representatives. Lessor shall hold
Lessee harmless for all damages arising out of any such negligence. Lessor
agrees to maintain insurance with a reputable insurance company of sound
financial standing covering its obligations assumed hereunder with limits of at
least ONE MILLION AND NO/100 ($1,000,000.00) DOLLARS for personal injury or
death in any one occurrence and of not less than $1,000,000.00 for property
damage in any one occurrence and to name Lessee as an additional insured
therein, with waiver of subrogation, and its furnish evidence of same upon
demand.

     Each party's obligations under this section to indemnify and hold harmless
the other party shall be limited to the sum that exceeds the amount of insurance
proceeds, if any, received by the party being indemnified.

19.  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

     (a)  purposes of this Lease, the following terms shall have the meanings
          set forth below:

     (i)  "Environmental Laws" shall mean all federal, state, local or municipal
           ------------------
          laws, rules, regulations, statutes, ordinances or orders relating to
          (a) the prevention or control of pollution or protection of the
          environment, (b) solid, gaseous or liquid waste generation, handling,
          treatment, storage, disposal, discharge, release, emission or
          transportation or (c) exposure to Hazardous Substances.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

    (ii)  "Environmental Liabilities" mean any and all losses, damages, costs,
           -------------------------
          expenses and liabilities (including any remedial, removal, response,
          abatement, clean-up, investigative and/or monitoring costs and
          associated legal expenses) incurred or imposed (a) pursuant to any
          agreement, order, notice of responsibility, directive (including
          directives embodied in Environmental Laws), injunctions, judgments or
          similar documents (including settlements) arising out of, in
          connection with, or under Environmental Laws, or (b) pursuant to any
          claim by a governmental entity or authority or any other person for
          personal injury, property damage, damage to natural resources,
          remediation, or payment or reimbursement of response costs incurred or
          expended by such governmental entity or authority or other person
          pursuant to common law or statute and related to the use or release of
          Hazardous Substances.

    (iii) "Hazardous Substances" shall mean any (i) petroleum or petroleum
           --------------------
          products, (ii) substances included within the definition of "hazardous
          substances"under Section 101(14) of CERCLA or (iii) any other
          chemical, substance or waste that is regulated by, or may form the
          basis of liability under, any Environmental Laws.

    (b)   Lessor represents and warrants to Lessee as follows:

    (i)   No Hazardous Substances have been used, generated, stored, treated,
          disposed of or released on, under or about the Premises in a manner
          that could cause Lessee to incur any Environmental Liabilities.

    (ii)  Lessor is in compliance with all Environmental Laws applicable to the
          Premises.

    (iii) There are no consent decrees, compliance orders, administrative
          orders, settlements or other contractual agreements that impose
          obligations or requirements with respect to the Premises and that
          relate either to Hazardous Substances or Environmental Laws.

    (iv)  There is no asbestos nor any asbestos-containing material in any
          building, structure or other improvement that is a part of the
          Premises.

    (v)   There are no underground storage tanks located on the Premises.

    (vi)  Lessor will provide Lessee reasonable access to copies of all
          environmental audits, assessments or other evaluations prepared with
          respect to the Premises.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

     (c)  Lessor agrees to indemnify and hold Lessee and Lessee's affiliates and
          controlling persons, officers, directors, employees, agents and
          advisors harmless from and against any Environmental Liabilities
          arising from or related to any event, condition, action or incident
          (i) occurring prior to the Commencement Date and relating in any way
          to the Premises or (ii) occurring subsequent to the Commencement Date
          as a result of the actions of Lessor or any affiliate or Lessor or
          person under Lessor's control.

     (d)  Lessee agrees to indemnify and hold Lessor and Lessor's affiliates and
          controlling persons, officers, directors, employees, agents and
          advisors harmless form and against any Environmental Liabilities
          arising from or related to any event, condition, action or incident
          occurring subsequent to the Commencement Date as a result of the
          actions of Lessee or any affiliate of Lessee or person under Lessee's
          control.

20.  OCCUPANCY BY LESSEE:

     Lessee warrants that it shall occupy the premises and not assign this
lease, or any rights thereunder, or abandon or sublet the premises.

21.  DEFAULT:

     Should Lessee:

     1.)  fail to cause any installment of rent to be received by Lessor on or
          before the due date except that Lessee shall have five (5) days after
          written Notice from Lessor to cure said default;

     (2)  fail to perform after written notice, any repair or maintenance
          required under this lease provided such default continues after Notice
          from Lessor for more than thirty (30) days;

     (3)  violate any term, obligation, or condition of this lease provided such
          violation is material and continues after Notice from Lessor for more
          than thirty (30) days;

     (4)  undergo bankruptcy; receivership; dissolution; financial failure; or
          insolvency; or

     (5)  remove personal property from the leased premises to the detriment of
          Lessor's lien when Lessee is in default; then Lessee shall be deemed
          ipso facto in default of this lease, and, at Lessor's option, either:

     A.)  the rent of the entire unexpired term of this lease shall at once
          become due and exigible, without the necessity of putting Lessee in
          default, together with all past due

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

          installments, costs, attorney's fees, expenses, and damages which have
          been incurred or suffered by Lessor with credit given to Lessor for
          rents collected by Lessor following re-letting; or

     B.)  Lessor may immediately cancel this lease and expel Lessee from the
          premises without putting Lessee in default, reserving to Lessor the
          right to proceed one or more times against Lessee for past due
          installments of rent and such installments as may fall due before
          Lessee is evicted, together with all costs, fees, attorney's fees,
          expenses, and damages incurred or suffered by Lessor. Lessee
          specifically waives all legal notice to vacate the premises.

     It is agreed that, should lessor elect Option "A", Lessee's failure to pay
the entire accelerated rent plus costs, damages, etc. as provided under said
paragraph "A" shall entitle Lessor, upon such failure, to thereupon proceed with
Option "B".

     It is mutually agreed that in the event Lessor shall be in default in
performing any of the terms or provisions of this lease on its part to be
performed and such default continues after Notice from Lessee for more than
thirty (30) days, then in such event, Lessee may exercise any and all legal or
equitable remedies afforded Lessee under Louisiana law, including but not
limited to the right to bring an action against Lessor for damages.

22.  INDULGENCES AND EXTENSIONS:

     Failure of Lessor to strictly and promptly enforce the terms and conditions
of this lease shall not operate as a waiver of Lessor's rights, Lessor expressly
reserving the right to always strictly and promptly enforce the terms,
conditions and requirements of this ease, regardless of any indulgences or
extensions previously granted. The receiving by Lessor of Lessor's
representative of any rent in arrears, or after notice or institution of any
suit or possession or cancellation of this lease, or permitting Lessee to remain
in the premises while in violation of any of the terms of this lease shall not
constitute a tacit reconduction of this lease.

23.  NOTICES:

     Whenever written notice is required by the terms of this lease, such notice
shall be served by certified mail on Lessor at Post Office Box 127, Hammond,
Louisiana, 70404 and on Lessee at the following address:

                          Joseph L. von Rosenberg, III
                          1717 St. James Place, Suite 550
                          Houston, Texas 77056

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

     And shall be deemed given when so mailed if same is unclaimed or refused by
addressee. Either party may notify the other of a change of address by written
notice as hereinabove provided.

24.  ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS:

     Should any claim in favor of Lessor upon this lease be placed in the hands
of an attorney to give special attention to the enforcement of such claim,
lessee shall pay attorney's fee in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of
the claim, together with all costs charges and expenses.

     Should any claim in favor of Lessee upon this lease be placed in the hands
of an attorney to give special attention to the enforcement of such claim,
Lessor shall pay attorney's fees in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of
the claim, together with all costs, charges and expenses.

25.  SIGNS:

     Lessor reserves the right to maintain signs "For Sale" or "For Rent" on the
premises at any time during the term of this lease. Lessee is obligated not to
display in, on, or above the leased premises any sign or decoration, the nature
of which, in the judgment of Lessor is dangerous, unsightly, or detrimental to
the property. Lessee is prohibited from painting any signs on the leased
property without the written consent of Lessor, and Lessee is obligated to
promptly remove at or before the expiration of this lease any and all signs
painted or placed in or upon any part of the leased premises, to Lessor's
satisfaction and Lessee is obligated to pay the cost of said removal, plus
agent's or attorney's fees, in event of failure to carry out this obligation.

26.  SECURITY DEPOSIT:

     Upon execution of this lease contract, Lessee shall deposit, and receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, the sum of FOURTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN
EIGHT AND NO/100 ($14,118.00) DOLLARS. This deposit, which is non-interest
bearing, to be held by Lessor as security for the full and faithful performance
of all of the terms and conditions of this lease. Deductions will be made from
this security deposit to reimburse Lessor for: (1) the cost of performing any
repair or maintenance which Lessee was obligated, but failed, to do; and/or (2)
the cost of cleaning, trash removal, insurance, or other obligations of Lessee
hereunder which have not been performed. This security deposit is not an advance
rental and Lessee may not deduct any portion of the security deposit from rent
due to Lessor by Lessee. Lessor agrees that, provided all the terms and
conditions of this lease are complied with, all keys returned and after the
premises

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

have been vacated and inspected by Lessor, Lessor will refund the security
deposit to Lessee, less those deductions which have been made in accordance
herewith.

27.  APPLICABLE LAW:

     This lease is to take effect in Louisiana, and is to be governed and
controlled by the laws of that state.

28.  ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:

     As additional consideration herein, Lessee agrees to pay ONE HUNDRED
SEVENTY AND NO/100 ($170.00) DOLLARS per month for parking and common area
maintenance expenses throughout the term of this lease including any options or
extensions thereto.

29.  OPTIONS:

     The Lessee shall have an option of two (2) additional five year renewal
privileges beginning at the end of the primary term of this lease. To be
effective, the Lessee must notify the Lessor, in writing, of his exercise of the
option at least three (3) months prior to the expiration of the primary term and
also the option terms. All conditions shall remain the same except that the
monthly rental each year of the option period shall increase by 2.75% per year.

30.  RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL:

     In the event Lessee desires to rent additional office space in the building
containing the Leased Premises it may notify the Lessor in writing. Upon receipt
of written notice, Lessor shall be obligated to first offer to the Lessee any
office space that becomes available for lease. Said offer to Lessee shall be
made in writing. Lessee shall have the right for seventy-two (72) hours to
accept the offer. Said additional space will be subject to all of the terms of
this lease (including options of extensions) except the amount of rent will be
the amount the available space will be in good faith be offered by the Lessor to
any third party.

     This lease is made and signed in duplicate originals, in
                                                              ----------------
Louisiana, this 31 day of January, 2000.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                                        OMEGA PROTEIN, INC.

                                           /s/ Clark A. Haner
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        By: Clark A. Haner, LESSEE
                                            --------------
                                        Vice-President, Controller and
                                        Administration

                                        THE EDSON GROUP,
                                        LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                           /s/ Edwin L. Hoover
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        By: Edwin L.  Hoover, LESSOR
                                            ----------------

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        SURETY

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                                  ADDENDUM ONE

                             LEASE ADDITIONAL SPACE

                  ATTACHED TO AND A PART OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
                             DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2000
                         BETWEEN THE EDSON GROUP, L.L.C.
                                       And
                               OMEGA PROTEIN, INC.

a)   Subject to all terms and conditions of the attached lease, except those
     listed below, and in addition to the space agreed upon in said Lease,
     Tenant shall, through this addendum, lease an additional 1500 square feet
     of space located at 825 Pride Drive, Hammond, Louisiana 70401, referred to
     as the Edson Facility "out building."

b)   Rental fee for said "out building" shall be SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY and
     NO/CENTS ($750.00) DOLLARS per month.

c)   Terms and renewal options/extension for said Addendum shall run according
     to and be in accordance with the terms set forth in the attached Lease.

This Addendum is made and signed in duplicate originals, in                 ,
                                                            ----------------
Louisiana, this 31 day of January 2000.
                --

                                        OMEGA PROTEIN, INC.

                                           /s/ Clark A. Haner
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        By: Clark A. Haner, LESSEE
                                            --------------
                                        Vice-President, Controller and
                                        Administration

                                        THE EDSON GROUP, L.L.C.

                                           /s/ Edwin L. Hoover
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        By: Edwin L.  Hoover, LESSOR
                                            ----------------

                                      -12-

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