The Pigeye Shark occurs throughout UAE inshore and offshore waters. It is likely to have often been confused with the Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas), which causes difficulty when interpreting landings data. Little specific data are available for this species in the UAE. It is apparently highly migratory, and has slow life history characteristics including low fecundity and a low annual rate of population increase. Considering this, the species has a low capacity to recover from even moderate levels of exploitation. It is especially susceptible to exploitation (target and bycatch) in many largely unregulated gill net and longline fisheries that operate within its range outside and surrounding UAE waters. In addition, degradation of rivers and estuaries in the Arabian Gulf region is likely a significant threat, particularly to juveniles. 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 30-50% over the past three generation lengths, or about 65 years. It is listed as Vulnerable A2cd.