This reef-associated species occurs throughout UAE waters. It is a long-lived species (26 years) that reaches sexual maturity late in life (13 years), and the generation length is estimated at about 17 years. A stock assessment conducted in 2013 in the Gulf considered this species overexploited. It was common in UAE fish markets from 1980s until about 1995, but declined thereafter. Despite fishing effort remaining at a stable level, catch of this species has remained very low to the present day. Effort is likely to increase for this species, especially as larger grouper species, such as Epinephelus coioides, continue to be depleted in this region. In addition, due to severe declines in Gulf coral reefs, this species may also be impacted by habitat degradation. Based on fish market observations, scientific survey data and catch data, it is inferred that this species has declined by at least 50% and likely more than 80% in the UAE since about 1995, or over the past one and a half generation lengths (29 years). Fishing effort is expected to remain the same or increase in the future time period over the next one and a half generations. The status of population(s) outside the UAE is not well-understood, though it is also heavily exploited elsewhere, especially off Oman and Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is listed as Critically Endangered A2bcd+4bcd. Improvements in fisheries management are needed.