The Ocellate Eagle Ray occurs throughout UAE inshore waters. Little is known on the population of this species in UAE waters. It is taken as bycatch in trawl and gill net fisheries, and fishing effort is intense and increasing in much of the Arabian Sea region. The loss and degradation of coastal habitats in the Gulf is a significant concern for inshore species such as this. It is especially susceptible to exploitation (target and bycatch) in many largely unregulated gill net, longline and trawl fisheries that operate within its range outside and surrounding UAE waters. Some management measures are now in place in the Arabian Sea region, although domestic fisheries are likely to continue. 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. It is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Sea region are representative of its status in the UAE. Based on recorded levels of exploitation and decline in habitat quality, 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 A2cd.