Blount was responsible for four million juvenile oysters that were later "planted by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management in various parts of Narragansett Bay" in an effort to grow the oyster population in the bay. In early 2003, Blount renewed his efforts with 4,000 adult oysters which, according to marine biologist Matt Jaglieski, produced "over 40 million" fertilized larvae. Two years later he donated of his land to Roger Williams University to the cause. Blount's contributions to restoring the Bay earned him an honorary doctorate degree in marine science from Roger Williams University in addition to the University officially dedicating its "state-of-the-art" shellfish hatchery to him. In 2006 Blount donated the Niagara Prince to three New England schools. The $6.5 million ship was built by Blount and was part of one of his cruise lines. The recipients of the donation were Wentworth Institute of Technology, Rhode Island College, and Roger Williams University. All three had given Blount honorary doctorates. List of vessels built by Blount Marine