This inshore eagle ray occurs throughout UAE waters, but little is known on its population there. It may be taken as bycatch in inshore gillnet fisheries. Most of the distribution of the species in the Arabian Sea region is under extremely intense and increasing demersal fishing pressure, especially off India. Furthermore, the loss and modification of coastal habitats in the Arabian Gulf is a significant concern, especially since this species is known to rely on estuaries during part of its life history. Its relative rarity, large size, and low productivity makes this species particularly susceptible to population decline. Though data specifically from the UAE are not available, individuals in the UAE are a component of a larger, interconnected and migratory population that occurs broadly in the north-western Indian Ocean. Given the intense fishing pressures faced by this species throughout the Arabian Seas, and ongoing threats from bycatch and habitat loss, it is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Seas are representative of the status in the UAE. Based on recorded levels of exploitation, it is suspected to have declined by at least 50% over the past three generation lengths, or about 45 years. It is listed as Endangered A2d.