This demersal species inhabits nearshore habitats from estuaries (juveniles) to coral reefs (adults) throughout UAE waters. It is heavily targeted by grouper fisheries throughout the Arabian Gulf and off Oman. It is considered overexploited in the UAE, Oman and the Gulf. In addition, degradation of coral reefs and estuaries is pervasive throughout the Gulf, and is also impacting this species. According to fish market observations, catch data and biomass estimates from scientific surveys, this species has undergone an inferred decline of at least 20-45% and possibly more, since about 1998, or over the past two generation lengths. Conservation measures, including protected areas and fishing regulations (minimum catch length and some fishing license control in Abu Dhabi), have prevented the rate of decline from exceeding 50% at this time; however, fishing effort exceeds sustainability, causing overexploitation to continue. Fishing effort is expected to remain the same or increase in the future time period over the next generation length. Population(s) in areas neighboring the UAE are also in serious decline and it is unlikely that fishing effort is decreasing at a significant level elsewhere. Therefore, this species is listed as Vulnerable A2bcd+4bcd.

The Zebra Shark occurs throughout UAE coastal waters usually near coral and rocky reef habitat, and is relatively common there. It is susceptible to capture in a range of inshore fisheries, but is rare in landings in the UAE due to its relatively low value. This species is not targeted or valued in markets of the UAE, trawling has been banned there since 1980 and it remains commonly sighted by divers. It has strong site fidelity and can form aggregations, which can facilitate the rapid removal of individuals in fisheries operations. In the Arabian Sea, it is landed in India and Pakistan, but less commonly elsewhere. It is especially susceptible to exploitation (target and bycatch) in many largely unregulated gill net 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 30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 50 years. It is listed as Vulnerable A2cd.

The Snaggletooth Shark occurs throughout UAE coastal waters and is uncommon there and in surrounding areas. It is taken in a variety of fisheries in the Arabian Sea region. While there is limited information available on this species in the region, its large size, relative rarity, and the presence of intensive fisheries mean that, like many large carcharhinids (that are morphologically and ecologically similar to hemigaleids) in the region, it will have undergone significant declines. 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 30-50% over the past three generation lengths, or about 27 years. It is listed as Vulnerable A2cd.

The Smoothnose Wedgefish occurs throughout UAE inshore waters in shallow bays and off river mouths. There has been a total ban on fishing for this species in UAE waters since 2019. The similarity of the three species of Rhynchobatus that occur in the region mean there are few reliable species-specific data available. It is commonly taken as bycatch in gillnet, longline and trawl fisheries and its fins are highly valued in international trade. Coastal development is causing habitat degradation, which may also be impacting this species. Significant declines are known in India, southern Oman, Pakistan and Iran. Little is known on the population of this species in UAE waters. It exhibits 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, 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, landings data and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 50-80% over the past three generation lengths, or about 39 years. It is listed as Endangered A2bcd.

The Bottlenose Wedgefish occurs throughout UAE inshore and offshore waters. There has been a total ban on fishing for this species in UAE waters since 2019. The similarity of the three species of Rhynchobatus that occur in the region mean there are few reliable species-specific data available. It is commonly taken as bycatch in gill net, longline and trawl fisheries and its fins are highly valued in international trade. Coastal development is causing habitat degradation, which may also be impacting this species. Significant declines are known in India, southern Oman, Pakistan and Iran. It exhibits 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, 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, landings data and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 50-80% over the past three generation lengths, or about 39 years. It is listed as Endangered A2bcd.

The Grey Sharpnose Shark occurs throughout UAE waters. It is reported as a dominant species in landings in several Arabian Sea countries and is particularly susceptible to a variety of inshore fisheries that operate throughout the region. Intensive and increasing fishing means that, like many other sharks, populations are likely to have declined. 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 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 12 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.

The Milk Shark occurs throughout UAE waters. It is very commonly taken in a wide range of artisanal, subsistence and commercial fisheries, and is often the dominant shark species in landings in the UAE. Inshore fishing pressure is intense and intensifying in parts of the Arabian Sea, and its abundance is suspected to have declined due to fishing. 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 until recently, in the UAE), 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 and decline in habitat quality, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 15 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.

The Bowmouth Guitarfish occurs throughout UAE inshore waters. This species is not targeted in the UAE and trawling has been banned there since 1980; however, it is frequently taken as bycatch in coastal net fisheries. It is taken in variable quantities in gill net and trawl fisheries elsewhere in the Arabian Gulf, and coastal habitat degradation is a significant threat, particularly in the Gulf. It is under extremely intense and increasing demersal fishing pressure in much of the Arabian Sea region. It exhibits 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 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 30-50% over the past three generation lengths, or about 39 years. It is listed as Vulnerable A2cd.

The Sharptooth Lemon Shark occurs throughout UAE inshore and offshore waters. In the UAE and neighboring countries, it is a minor component of shark landings, and may be relatively rarely occurring in the area. It is at risk from extensive fishing pressure by longline and gill net fisheries that operate throughout the Arabian Sea region. Extensive habitat degradation and loss due to coastal development in the Arabian Gulf region may also be impacting the species. 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, 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 49 years. It is listed as Endangered A2cd.

The Tawny Nurse Shark occurs throughout UAE coastal waters, and is presumably naturally uncommon there. This species is not targeted or valued in markets of the UAE. It is taken as bycatch in some areas of the Arabian Sea region (Sri Lanka and India), and declines have been noted. Slow life history characteristics, including low fecundity and a low annual rate of population increase causes the species to have 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, 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 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 90 years. It is listed as Vulnerable A2cd.