Why is necessary for these fish to lay hundreds of eggs in order the salmon survive?

Salmon lay hundreds of eggs because of the high mortality rate among their young. Here's why:

* Predation: Salmon eggs and fry (young salmon) are a food source for many animals, including birds, fish, and insects.

* Environmental hazards: Eggs can be swept away by currents, buried by sediment, or killed by parasites or disease.

* Competition: Young salmon compete with each other for food and space.

* Natural selection: Only a small percentage of salmon eggs survive to adulthood. This ensures that the strongest and fittest individuals have the best chance of reproducing.

By laying hundreds of eggs, salmon increase the chances that at least some of their offspring will survive to adulthood and continue the species. This is a common strategy among many fish and other animals with high mortality rates.