Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $2 million in funding to help Long Island scientists fight against the brown tide that is killing shellfish in waterways. 

"We have to get into the action phase because the clock is against us," said the governor, who toured the waters on the South Shore Friday afternoon. 

Dr. Christopher Gobler, who heads up Stony Brook University's Shinnecock Bay Restoration Project, showed Gov. Cuomo and other lawmakers on the tour how hundreds of clams from a hatchery help rid the water of excess nitrogen. 

Currently, Dr. Gobler's program has placed about 2.5 million clams in Shinnecock Bay. He says the bay needs about 30 million to combat the shellfish-killing algae caused by antiquated cesspools and lawn fertilizer. 

Gov. Cuomo also offered a $2 million challenge to local governments to find and build facilities for hatchery programs to grow clams and oysters.