Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.53

Case No. FF-G-008
         --------

                PROMISSORY NOTE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                         City and State:________________
                                         Date:  October 19, 2001

All terms contained herein are defined in the Acknowledgment of Definitions
executed by all parties to this transaction.

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (hereinafter, the "Borrower"), promises to
pay to the order of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting by and through the
Secretary of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National
Marine Fisheries Service, Financial Services Division (hereinafter, the
"Government"), P. O. Box 73004, Chicago, Illinois 60673, or at the Government's
option, at such other place as may be designated from time to time by the
Government, the principal amount of ONE MILLION, NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
AND NO/100 Dollars ($1,900,000.00) with interest on the unpaid principal
computed from the date of funding at the rate of 7.01% per year, payments, in
lawful currency of the United States of America, to be made in installments as
follows:

     Payments of $51,434.00, including principal and interest, payable
     quarterly. The first payment on the note will be due on January 19, 2002
     and each quarter thereafter, with the balance of principal and interest due
     on October 19, 2016.

This Note is given pursuant to the provisions of Title XI of the Merchant Marine
Act, 1936, as amended, found at 46 USC (S)1271 et seq., and 50 CFR 253, as
amended by Public Law 104-297 on October 11, 1996, known as the Fisheries
Finance Program.

The Borrower may prepay principal at any time, and from time to time, without
penalty.  However, the Government may require that any partial prepayments (a)
be made on the date regular installments are due and (b) be in the amount of one
or more installments which would be applicable to principal.  Any partial
prepayment shall be applied against the principal amount outstanding and shall
not postpone the due date of any subsequent installments or change the amount of
such installments, unless the Government shall otherwise agree in writing.

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If any installment is not received by the Government within fifteen (15) days
after its due date, the Borrower shall pay an additional sum of five percent
(5%) of the overdue amount or one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), whichever is
less, as a late charge and said amount will be added to total indebtedness until
paid.  Acceptance of any late charge or the election not to assess a late
charge, shall not constitute a waiver of the default with respect to the overdue
amount, and shall not prevent the Government from exercising any of the other
rights and remedies available to it.

Payments shall be made payable in lawful money of the United States of America
to the United States Department of Commerce/NOAA/NMFS/FSFF, or as the
Government, or other holder of the Note, may, from time-to-time designate in
writing to the Borrower. Payments shall be applied first to accrued interest and
the balance, if any, shall be applied to principal. The Borrower shall identify
each payment by the designation FF-G-008.

Time is of the essence hereof.  In the event that the Borrower fails to pay any
installment of principal or interest within fifteen (15) days after its due
date, then, at the option of the Government or other holder of the Note, the
entire principal sum, plus all accrued interest, shall be immediately due and
payable, without presentment, notice of dishonor, protest, opportunity to cure,
or any other demand or notice, said demands and notices being hereby expressly
waived.  The Government or other holder of this Note may exercise this option to
accelerate after any default by the Borrower which is not cured within fifteen
(15) days from the occurrence thereof, regardless of any prior forbearance.

The accelerated interest rate shall be eighteen percent (18%) per annum, and
shall apply to all sums due and accruing hereunder or under the Mortgage or
Security Agreement, as defined below, unless such would violate applicable usury
laws, if any, in which case, the maximum legal rate permitted by applicable laws
shall prevail.

This Note shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
United States of America.

This Note is secured by certain preferred ship mortgages (hereinafter, the "Ship
Mortgages") dated the date hereof, from the Borrower to the Government relating
to that certain vessel RACCOON POINT, Official Number 532143, and that certain
vessel SANDY POINT, Official Number 208617, (hereinafter, the "Vessels"), a
security agreement (hereinafter, the "Security Agreement") dated ______  , 2001,
between the Borrower and the Government and a certain deed of trust and security
agreement (hereinafter, the "Deed"), dated the date hereof, from the Borrower to
the

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Government relating to certain property located in Northumberland County,
Commonwealth of Virginia.

This Note has been negotiated and received by the Government subject to and
secured by the terms of the Approval Letter dated May 29, 2001, all Mortgages,
Deeds, Security Agreements, and any other loan documents.

The aforesaid payments shall constitute payment of the principal of, and the
interest on this Note as of the date on which and to the extent such payment is
made, and this Note shall be discharged to the extent of such payment of
principal.

This Note is not negotiable, assignable, or transferable without the prior
written consent of the Government.  This Note shall be canceled by the
Government and surrendered to the Borrower if all outstanding obligations
accruing hereunder or under the Loan documents are fully paid or performed.

The undersigned agrees to pay and shall pay all reasonable expenses of any
nature, whether incurred in or out of court, and whether incurred before or
after this Note shall become due at its maturity date or otherwise, including
but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees and costs, which the Government
may deem necessary or proper in connection with the collection of sums due under
the Note, or in the administration, supervision, preservation, protection and
costs of care and preservation of any Collateral.  The Government is authorized
to pay, and add to the indebtedness of the Borrower at any time, and from time
to time, any and all of such expenses, add the amount of such expenses to the
principal amount of the Note and Mortgages, and charge interest thereon at the
rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum, or such lesser rate as determined by
the Government.  In connection with said expenses, and notwithstanding the
Government's election to fix an interest rate of less than 18%, acceleration of
sums due under the Note and any other loan documents will result in application
of the accelerated interest rate of 18% to all sums due hereunder, whether said
sums constitute principal, interest or expenses.

The term "Collateral" as used in this Note shall have the same meaning as used
in the Security Agreement and in the Acknowledgment of Definitions and shall
further mean any funds, guaranties, or other property or rights therein of any
nature whatsoever or the proceeds thereof which may have been, are, or hereafter
may be hypothecated, directly or indirectly by the undersigned or others, in
connection with, or as security for, this Note or any part hereof.

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The obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall not be impaired by the
Government's indulgence, including, but not limited to (a) any renewal,
extension, or modification which the Government may grant with respect to the
Note or any part hereof, (b) any surrender, compromise, release, renewal,
extension, exchange, or substitution, which the Government may grant in respect
of the said Mortgage, as amended, or other Collateral, or (c) any indulgence
granted in respect of any endorser, grantor, or insurer.

All provisions of this Note shall be construed, given effect, and enforced
according to the laws of the United States.  With respect to any claim or
proceeding relating to this Note, the Borrower hereby consents to and subjects
itself to the jurisdiction of the federal court of competent jurisdiction, which
we, in our sole discretion, may choose.  If the Government has instituted
proceedings where any of the collateral may be found, the Borrower also consents
to and subjects itself to the jurisdiction of the federal court which maintains
jurisdiction over said collateral.

This Note is severable, and in the event that any of its terms are declared
invalid, the remaining terms shall be severed and remain in full force and
effect.

When applicable, the obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be joint and
several.

                                          BORROWER:  Omega Protein, Inc.

                                          BY:     /s/ Clark A. Haner
                                                 -----------------------

                                          TITLE:  Controller and Assistant
                                                  Treasurer

                                          DATE:   October 19, 2001

                               Pg. 4 of 4 pages<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.54
Case No. FF-G-008
         --------

                               SECURITY AGREEMENT
                               ------------------

     This Security Agreement (hereinafter, the "Agreement"), made between Omega
Protein, Inc., (hereinafter, the "Borrower"), whose address is P.O. Box 1799,
Hammond, Louisiana 70404 and the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, acting by and through
the Secretary of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Marine Fisheries Service, Financial Services Division, 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, which is the Secured Party, (hereinafter
the "Government").

     All terms contained herein are defined in the Acknowledgment of Definitions
executed by all parties to this transaction.

                               W I T N E S S E T H
                               - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to enter into a Promissory Note to the United
States (hereinafter, the "Note"), dated October 19, 2001, in the amount of ONE
                                        ----------------
MILLION, NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND, and no/Dollars ($1,900,000.00), pursuant to the
provisions of Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, found at 46
USC Section. 1271 et seq., and 50 CFR 253, as amended by Public Law 104-297 on
October 11, 1996, known as the Fisheries Finance Program, (hereinafter, the "FFP
Debt"); and

     WHEREAS, the Government will not enter into this transaction unless the
Government is granted a security interest in certain property.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt whereof being hereby acknowledged, the parties agree
as follows:

     Section 1. The Borrower hereby grants to the Government a security interest
in the following described property, together with all accessories,
substitutions, additions, replacements, parts and accessions affixed to or used
in connection therewith (hereinafter, the "Collateral"):

     (a) The whole of the Fishing Vessels RACCOON POINT, Official Number 532143,
and SANDY POINT, Official Number 298617, together with all related gear,
boilers, machinery, electronics, equipment, motors, skiffs, inventory, supplies,
contracts, contract rights, charter hire

                                    Page 1 of 13 pages
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freight, licenses and/or permits, general intangibles, transferable fishery
conservation and management allocations, now owned or hereafter acquired,
attached or not attached or to be attached, to secure payment of the Borrower's
debt to the Government as evidenced hereby and by Borrower's Promissory Note,
(hereinafter, the "Note"), to the Government of even date herewith payable to
the Government, in accordance with the Note, in the amount of ONE MILLION, NINE
HUNDRED THOUSAND, and no/Dollars, ($1,900,000.00) payable on the terms, at the
times, and with interest as set forth in said Note. Borrower agrees to pay the
Note and, if any portion thereof, principal or interest, is not paid when due,
Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to the foregoing, the reasonable collection
costs of the Government;

     (b) Any and all federal or state fisheries permits, individual fishing
quotas (IFQ), individual transferable quotas (ITQ), community development quotas
(CDQ), quota shares, allocations, endorsements, rights, licenses, or tags,
whether vested individually with the Borrower or appurtenant to the Vessel,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whether now existing or hereafter
created by rule, regulation, statute or fishery management council action, which
now exist or are hereafter created pursuant to any limited entry programs,
moratorium periods, high seas permits, license limitation programs or total
allowable catch and domestic annual processing assessments or like programs or
assessments whether or not any of the foregoing relate to or affect the fishing
operations of the vessel.

     (c) All insurances pertaining to the Collateral, including, without
limitation, hull and machinery, increased value, war risk, protection and
indemnity, pollution, workmen's liability and compensation, loss of earnings,
personal property, liability and all other insurances and association entries,
and all claims and all returns of premiums, dues, calls, and assessments that
are not immediately applied to future premiums, dues, calls, and assessments,
and all other sums or claims for sums due or to become due thereunder;

     (d) All debts and obligations owing to the Borrower, including, without
limitation, interest thereon, charges and other expenses and fees advanced by or
incurred by or for the Government, and all liens and encumbrances securing any
or all of the foregoing;

     (e) Borrower grants the Government a security interest in the following
real estate situated in Northumberland County, Commonwealth of Virginia and
fully described in Exhibit A.

                 EXHIBIT "A" IS ATTACHED AND MADE A PART HEREOF

together with all buildings and other improvements, hereditaments and
appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in any wise appertaining now existing or
hereafter erected upon the premises and all the income and

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rents arising therefrom. Borrower does hereby intend to convey and does convey
all of Borrower's right, title and interest in and to any strips and gores
Borrower may now own contiguous to the above described property;

     (f) It is expressly understood and agreed, as a part of the consideration
for the loan made to the Borrower and secured by the premises described in
Exhibit A, this instrument covers and includes all surface, subsurface and/or
mineral estate ownership now or after acquired by the undersigned in the above
property and whether or not expressly excepted from the description to the above
security premises, any provisions herein to the contrary being of no force and
effect;

     (g) For the consideration aforesaid, and as further security for any and
all debt(s) and obligation(s) described above, said Borrower does hereby assign,
pledge and transfer to the Government, and grant to the Government a security
interest in and to the following described property and interests which are
listed on Exhibit B and/or set out as follows: (1) all timber of all kind,
character and description planted and/or growing, or to be planted and/or grown,
on the hereinabove described property; (2) all crop allotments, quotas, and/or
(3) all rents, profits, issues, income, royalties, bonuses, and revenue of said
property, or any part or interest herein, from time to time accruing whether
under leases or tenancies now existing or hereafter created; (4) each and every
policy of hazard insurance, or the like, now or hereafter in effect which
insures said property or any building, fixture and/or improvement thereon, or
any part thereof, together with all the right, title and interest of Borrower in
and to such policy, including but not limited to any premiums paid (or rights to
return premiums) and/or all proceeds or payments thereunder; (5) all judgments,
award of damages and settlements hereafter made resulting from condemnation
proceedings or the taking of the real property, or any part thereof, under the
power of eminent domain, or for any damage (whether caused by such taking or
otherwise) to the property, or any part thereof, or to any rights appurtenant
thereto; (6) all building materials, equipment, fixtures and fittings of all
kind, character, and description used in connection with or relating to said
property and/or buildings, fixtures or improvements thereon; (7) all equipment,
including, but not limited to: forklifts, bobcats, cranes, pallet trucks, lift
trucks and other product or material movement equipment of whatsoever nature;
all trailers, tanks, trucks or other rolling stock of whatsoever nature; all
fish unloading, transfer and conveying equipment of whatsoever nature; fungible
goods, including fish; all fish processing equipment of whatsoever nature; all
fish weighing equipment of whatsoever nature; all cooling, refrigerating,
freezing and other fish holding equipment (blast freezers, coolers, or other
refrigeration equipment) of whatsoever

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nature; all fish packaging equipment of whatsoever nature; all fish baskets,
totes, tanks, tubs and other fish holding equipment of whatsoever nature; all
ice makers of whatsoever nature, all hand and power tools of whatsoever nature;
all office equipment of whatsoever nature; all fish hatching, releasing,
rearing, growing, tending and other equipment of whatsoever nature in any way
associated with fisheries cultivation of every sort--all together with all
associated equipment, machinery, parts, tools, or other items of whatsoever
nature and whether fixed or unfixed to the property or any other premises
whatsoever; and/or (8) all tangible or intangible property found on the premises
which is not listed on Exhibit "B", and products, proceeds, and additions and/or
replacements of any or all of the property described above in Items 1 through 7,
also including all after-acquired personal property to be located in or about
the said facility of Borrower, subject to any purchase-money security interest
acquired by any vendor of said after-acquired personal property;

                 EXHIBIT "B" IS ATTACHED AND MADE A PART HEREOF

     Section 2. The Borrower hereby warrants and covenants that:

     (a) Except as may otherwise be required in the ordinary course of business,
at all times the items listed on Exhibit B will be kept on the property itself,
in transit, or in storage and shall not be removed from said location, in whole
or in part, until such time as written consent to a change of location is
obtained by the Borrower from the Government;

     (b) The Collateral is to be used primarily for business use and kept at the
Borrower's principal place of business.

     Section 3. Other terms and conditions:

     (a) In the event that this Security Agreement, the Note, or any provisions
hereof or thereof shall be deemed invalid in whole or in part by reason of any
present or future law of the United States or any decision of any authoritative
court, or if the documents at any time held by the Government be deemed by the
Government, for any reason, insufficient to carry out the true intent and spirit
of this Security Agreement and the Note, then, from time to time, the Borrower
will execute on its own behalf such other and further assurances and documents
as in the opinion of counsel for the Government may be required to more
effectually subject the Collateral to the payment of the principal sum of the
Note, together with interest thereon, as in the Note and as herein provided, and
in the performance of the terms and conditions of the Note and this Security
Agreement. Upon failure of the Borrower so to do, the Government may execute
such other and further assurances and documents, for and in the name of the
Borrower, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the Government the agent

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attorney-in-fact of the Borrower so to do. Any expenses of the Government in
connection with the foregoing shall be a debt due from the Borrower to the
Government in payment thereof and shall be secured by the lien of this Security
Agreement;

     (b) The Borrower will faithfully observe, perform and discharge all of the
covenants, conditions, and obligations which are imposed on the Borrower by any
and all indentures and other agreements or documents and will not permit to
occur any act or omission which is or may be declared to be a default under any
such indenture, agreement, or document;

     Section 4. The Borrower hereby further warrants and covenants that:

     (a) No financing statement covering any of the Collateral described herein
is on file in any public office except in favor of the Government. The Borrower
is the owner of the Collateral free from any prior lien, security interest or
encumbrance, except in favor of the Government, and will defend the Collateral
against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever;

     (b) Except as may otherwise be required in the ordinary course of business,
the Borrower will not sell, exchange, lease, or otherwise dispose of the
Collateral, or any part thereof, or suffer or permit any lien, levy, or
attachment, or security interest therein, or financing statement to be filed
with reference thereto, other than that of the Government;

     (c) The Borrower will maintain the Collateral in good condition and repair
and preserve the same against waste, loss, damage, or depreciation in value
other than by reasonable wear. The Borrower will not use any of the Collateral
in violation of any law or public regulation. The Government may examine and
inspect the Collateral at any reasonable times, wherever located, and for that
purpose hereby is authorized by the Borrower to enter any place or places where
the Collateral may be;

     (d) The Borrower will keep the Collateral fully insured against loss or
damage by fire, theft (and collision if applicable), and such other hazards as
the Government may from time to time require, with such deductible provisions,
upon such terms, including loss payable and other endorsements, and in such
company or companies as the Government may approve; Borrower immediately will
deliver all policies to the Government, to be retained by the latter in pledge
to secure Borrower's obligations hereunder, with irrevocable authority to adjust
any loss, receive and receipt for any sum payable, surrender any policy,
discharge and release any insurer, endorse in Borrower's name

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any loss or refund check or draft and, in general, exercise in the name of the
Borrower or otherwise, any and all rights of the Borrower in respect thereto or
in respect to the proceeds thereof;

     (e) The Borrower will pay, when due, all taxes, license fees and
assessments relative to the Collateral or its use and relative to the Note.
Should the Borrower fail in its performance of any of the foregoing, the
Government may pay the same, including any security interest having priority
hereto, may order and pay for the repair, maintenance and preservation of the
Collateral, or any part thereof, may place and pay for any such insurance and
may pay any such taxes; the Borrower agrees to pay to the Government on demand
all of the latter's disbursements for any of said purposes with interest at the
rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum, or such lesser rate which the
Government, in its sole discretion, may determine. Said sum shall be added to
the sums due under the Note, shall be an indebtedness of the Borrower,
immediately due and payable, and shall be secured by this Security Agreement.
Notwithstanding the Government's election under this provision to fix an
interest rate of less than eighteen percent (18%), acceleration of sums due
under this Note will result in the application of the accelerated interest rate
of eighteen percent (18%), on all sums so paid from the date of payment until
repaid;

     (f) The Borrower agrees to notify the Government promptly in writing of any
change in its business name or address, corporate structure (including the
jurisdiction under which it is incorporated), principal place of business and
Borrower's residence.

     (g) By executing this Security Agreement, the Borrower authorizes the
Government to file financing statements and amendments thereto to perfect the
security interests created by this Agreement. The recording of these financing
statements will be at the Borrower's expense.

     (h) The Borrower hereby consents to any extension of time of payment and to
any substitution, exchange, or release of Collateral and to the addition to or
release of any party or person primarily or secondarily liable for the Note.

     Section 5. General terms:

     (a) The Note is a separate instrument and may be negotiated, extended, or
renewed by the Government without releasing the Borrower, all Collateral, or any
guarantor or co-maker;

     (b) All of the benefits of this Security Agreement shall inure to the
Government, its successor in interest and assigns, and the obligations hereunder
shall be binding upon the Borrower, its legal representatives, successors and
assigns;

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     (c) If there is more than one Borrower or guarantor or co-maker of the
Note, the obligation of each and all shall be primary and joint and several;

     (d) The provisions of this Security Agreement are severable, if a provision
is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
holding shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions;

     (e) The Government shall not be deemed to have waived any of its rights
under this or any other agreement executed by the Borrower unless the waiver is
in writing signed by the Government. No delay in exercising the Government's
rights shall be a waiver nor shall a waiver on one occasion operate as a waiver
of such right on a future occasion;

     (f) Each notice from one to the other party in this Security Agreement
shall be sufficient if served personally or given by U. S. registered or
certified mail, addressed to the other party at its last known address.
Reasonable notice, when notice is required, shall be deemed to be five days from
date of mailing;

     Section 6. Default:

     (a) The Borrower shall be in default under this Security Agreement upon the
happening of any of the following events or conditions:

          (1) The Borrower's failure to pay, when due, the principal of or
     interest on the Note, including any amendments thereto or substitutions
     therefor;

          (2) The Borrower's failure to keep, observe, or perform any provision
     of this Security Agreement or any other agreement between the Borrower and
     the Government, including but not limited to, the Preferred Ship Mortgages
     on the aforementioned fishing vessels, and the Deed of Trust on the
     aforementioned real property, and all loan documents;

          (3) The failure of any guarantor, co-maker, or other party to keep,
     observe or perform any agreement between said party and the Government
     connected with or arising from the aforementioned obligation;

          (4) The discovery of any misrepresentation, or material falsity of any
     warrant, representation, or statement made or furnished by the Borrower to
     the Government, whether or not in connection with this Security Agreement;

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          (5) The loss, theft, or destruction of or substantial damage to the
     Collateral;

          (6) The Government deems or has reasonable cause to deem itself
     insecure;

          (7) The failure or termination of the business, or commencement of any
     insolvency or receivership proceedings by or against the Borrower, or if
     the Borrower dies or becomes insolvent, and if Borrower is a partnership,
     the death of any partner, and if the Borrower is a corporation, the
     dissolution of said corporation.

     Section 7. Cure of Defaults:

     If the Borrower shall have, within fifteen (15) days after the occurrence
thereof, removed and remedied each event of default as set forth herein, then in
every such case, the Secretary shall waive any such event of default; but no
such waiver shall extend to nor affect any subsequent or other event of default
nor impair any rights or remedies consequent thereon.

     Section 8. Remedies of the Government:

     Upon Borrower's default, the Government shall have each and all of the
rights and remedies granted to him by the Uniform Commercial Code of the state
in which this Security Agreement is filed, by the Note, by this Security
Agreement, and by the Preferred Ship Mortgages, by the Deed of Trust, and other
loan documents, and may declare the Note immediately due and payable and
thereafter shall bear interest at eighteen percent (18%) per annum, unless
limited by applicable state law, and may require the Borrower to assemble the
Collateral and make it available to the Government at a place to be designated
by the Government which is reasonably convenient to both parties. The Borrower
agrees to pay the Government's reasonable counsel fees and other expenses
incurred by the latter in retaking, holding, preparing for sale, and realizing
on said Collateral. Should suit or action be instituted on this Security
Agreement, on the Note, or to replevy the Collateral, or any part thereof,
Borrower agrees to pay (1) the Government's reasonable attorney's fees to be
fixed by the trial court and (2) on appeal, if any, similar fees in the
appellate court. Provided, however, that if the Borrower shall have removed and
remedied each Event of Default within fifteen (15) days after the occurrence
thereof, then in every such case the Government shall waive any such Event of
Default; but no such waiver shall extend to nor affect any subsequent or other
Event of Default nor impair any rights or remedies consequent thereon; and
provided further that if at any time after the expiration of fifteen (15) days
after any Event of Default shall have

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occurred, all Events of Default shall have been remedied and removed and full
performance made by the Borrower to the satisfaction of the Government and all
installments of principal and interest in arrears (including interest at the
rate per year, as aforesaid) and the reasonable charges and expenses, if any, of
the Government, its agents and attorneys, shall have been paid, then and in
every such case the Government may waive any such Event of Default; and
provided, also, that no waiver hereunder shall extend to nor affect any
subsequent or other Event of Default nor impair any rights or remedies
consequent thereon.

     Section 9. Governing Law:

     Except to the extent that the laws of the United States govern, all
provisions of this Agreement shall be construed, given effect, and enforced
according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. With respect to any claim
or proceeding related to this Agreement the Borrower hereby consents to and
subjects itself to the jurisdiction of the federal court of competent
jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Virginia and agrees that the venue of any
action or proceeding relating to this Agreement shall be exclusively in the
federal court situated in the Commonwealth of Virginia unless the Secretary has
instituted proceedings where the Collateral may be found and in such case,
Borrower consents to and subjects itself to the jurisdiction of the federal
court which maintains jurisdiction over the Collateral.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Security
Agreement as of the 19th day of October, 2001.
                    -------------------------

                                 GOVERNMENT:

                                 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
                                 Acting by and through the Secretary of Commerce
                                 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
                                 National Marine Fisheries Service
                                 Financial Services Division

                                 By:               /s/
                                      ------------------------------------------

                                 Title:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Chief, Financial Services Branch
                                         Southeast Region

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                                              BORROWER:  Omega Protein, Inc.

Attest:

By: /s/ Robert W. Stockton                    By: /s/ Clark A. Haner
   -----------------------------                 -------------------------------

Title: Executive Vice President,              Title: Controller and
       -------------------------                     ---------------------------
Chief Financial Officer and                   Assistant Treasurer
--------------------------------              ----------------------------------
Secretary
--------------------------------

Date: October 19, 2001                        Date: October 19, 2001

(SEAL)

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                                 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF                                )
         -------------------------------
                                        )ss
COUNTY OF                               )
          ------------------------------

     On the        day of ,                  2001, before me personally came
           -------         ----------------------
Kell Freeman to me known and known to me to be the duly authorized
-----------
representative of the Secretary of Commerce of the United States of America and
he duly acknowledged to me that he executed the above instrument as such
representative of the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to the authority vested in
him by the laws of the United States.

                                                -----------------------------
                                                Notary Public

                                    Page 11 of 13 pages
                          ---------
<PAGE>

                                 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF                                    )
         ----------------------------------
                                            )ss
COUNTY OF                                   )
          ---------------------------------

     On the 19th day of October, 2001, before me personally appeared Clark A.
            ----        --------------                               --------
Haner, to me known or produced satisfactory identification, and who acknowledged
-----
that he is the Controller and Assistant Treasurer of Omega Protein, Inc. , and
               ----------------------------------    -------------------
that he executed the foregoing instrument as the Controller and Assistant
                                                 ------------------------
Treasurer of said corporation, for the uses and purposes therein expressed.
--------

                                                -----------------------------
                                                Notary Public

                                    Page 12 of 13 pages
                          ---------
<PAGE>

                                 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF                                    )
         ----------------------------------
                                            )ss
COUNTY OF                                   )
          ---------------------------------

     On the 19th day of October, 2001, before me personally appeared Robert W.
            ----        --------------                               ---------
Stockton, to me known or produced satisfactory identification, and who
--------
acknowledged that he is the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                            -------------------------------------------------
and Secretary of Omega Protein Corporation, and that he executed the foregoing
------------------------------------------
instrument as the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
                  -----------------------------------------------------
Secretary of said corporation, for the uses and purposes therein expressed.
---------

                                                -----------------------------
                                                Notary Public

                                    Page 13 of 13 pages
                          ---------

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