The most relevant threat within UAE is the possibility of oil pollution (a threat also highlighted at the global level [Gorski et al. 1977]), but the severity of this threats towards this species is unknown.Individuals of this species that visit UAE are also threatened by a range of threats that operate outside of the country. The species is susceptible to avian influenza (Melville and Shortridge 2006) and avian botulism so may be threatened by future outbreaks of these diseases (Hubalek et al. 2005). It;has suffered local population declines in the past as a result of egg collecting (del Hoyo et al. 1996). In some areas of its breeding range the species may also suffer from reduced reproductive successes due to contamination with chemical pollutants (del Hoyo et al. 1996). None of these, however, are thought to be significant threats to the global population.

Changes in coastal land-use, fisheries bycatch, and the possibility of oil pollution and marine debris (plastic) could affect this species in UAE, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown. Pallas's Gull is also at risk from avian influenza (Chen et al. 2006).

The most relevant threats within UAE are changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown. Individuals of this species that visit UAE are also threatened by a range of threats that operate outside of the country: Declines in the most northerly breeding subspecies;L. f. fuscus;(a rare passage migrant to UAE; Pedersen et al. 2017) have been attributed in part to the high level of DDE residues accumulated during the non-breeding season, when this subspecies is found further south than the rest of the species (Bustnes 2006, Burger et al. 2018). High levels of PCBs have also been recorded with the potential to lead to mortality in chicks (Hario et al. 2000). Lesser Black-backed Gulls are also persecuted in some areas of its range, which may lead to displacement or even local declines. The species is susceptible to avian botulism, so may be threatened by future outbreaks of this disease (Mitchell;et al.;2004).

The Sooty Gull is vulnerable to oil spills (Aspinall 1996, Javed et al. 2005) and is at risk of habitat degradation due to land reclamation for oil prospecting and development (Aspinall 1996, Javed et al. 2005). Introduced species (such as cats and rodents) can be a threat, and the species has been impacted by egg collecting and persecution (although it has been stopped at some sites) (Aspinall 1996, see also Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi 2016).

The species is threatened by future oil spills (Aspinall 1996, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Hockey et al. 2005) and the introduction of nest predators onto breeding islands (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Symes et al. 2015). Rat predation was first observed on Umm Amim;in 2005.;The planting of mangrove stands over bare substrates in some areas may also reduce the availability of nest sites (Hockey et al. 2005), while coastal development could also threaten existing colonies (Aspinall 1996, Symes et al. 2015, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi 2016).;Eggs and young of the species used to be collected from nesting colonies in the wider Arabian region, a practice which may still occur (Hockey et al. 2005, Symes et al. 2015), while intrusions by people collecting the eggs of other species (e.g. Bridled Tern) can result in nest destruction (Aspinall 1996).

The loss of wetland habitats in Mesopotamia owing to drainage, and wetland destruction in Iraq (the core breeding and wintering areas) poses a threat to this species (Stroud;et al. 2005). Land-use changes and oil pollution of coastal sites within UAE could have an impact, but the severity of such threats is unknown.

In the UAE, the removal of irrigated pivot fields impacts this species.This species is of global significance given its global listing as Critically Endangered. It is likely that the main drivers of the global decline come from outside of UAE, and so these external threats are likely also the main threats to the population that visits the country. Care should be given though to make sure that any relevant threats are not present in the country, or do not spread into the UAE.Globally, it now appears that illegal hunting during migration and on the wintering grounds may be the primary threat (M. A. Koshkin, J. Kamp and R. D. Sheldon in litt. 2007 et al. 2008, Fisher unpublished 2016). Data from 2005-2012 suggest that low adult survival, perhaps resulting from known hunting pressure along the migration routes, appears to be the most critical demographic rate (Sheldon et al. 2013).Other key factors explaining the magnitude of declines remain poorly understood, despite much recent research. On the breeding grounds, it was probably formerly threatened by the conversion of steppe to arable cultivation, plus, perhaps less likely, the reduction in grazing by large herds of native ungulates and, latterly, by the loss of the enormous herds of domestic grazing animals from state-sponsored collective farms (Eichhorn and Khrokov 2002, Watson et al. 2006). However, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, large areas of arable cultivation have been abandoned and are reverting to natural steppe habitat, herds of domestic livestock have become concentrated around villages (where their permanent presence leads to shorter swards than were created by the vast herds that grazed semi-nomadically under the Soviet system), while an increase in fires (owing to reduced control of fires) may also have contributed to an increase in suitable habitat. These factors may be behind the possible increase in numbers (at least in parts of Kazakhstan) in recent years (Watson et al. 2006, M. A. Koshkin, J. Kamp and R. D. Sheldon in litt. 2007). Concentration of nests in heavily grazed areas in the vicinity of villages may have increased threats from human disturbance and trampling by sheep, goats and possibly other livestock (Watson et al. 2006, M. A. Koshkin, J. Kamp and R. D. Sheldon in litt. 2007). Low egg survival due to nesting in areas of high grazer density has been suggested as one of the causes for the species' decline (Watson et al. 2006). The species may be affected by the increasingly dry climate in its breeding and wintering range, but it is not clear if this benefits or threatens this semi-desert species (Watson et al. 2006). Agricultural expansion and intensification, overgrazing and loss of steppe habitats all pose threats to stopover sites used by the species (Ashoori et al. 2013, Sheldon 2013, Asswad 2014). An irrigation project distributing water from the;Atatürk dam to fields around Ceylanpinar may have a negative impact on the species as the habitats change (Fisher unpublished 2016).

Within the UAE the only factor that was deemed a potential threat to this species by Aspinall (1996) is from the infilling of wetland sites.

Within the UAE, the greatest threat to this species likely comes from changes in land-use but the severity of such threats are essentially unknown. Globally though, the species faces a range of threats which are driving its decline at the global level; and such threats may have an impact on individuals that visit the UAE: this species suffered past declines as a result of land-use intensification, wetland drainage and egg collecting (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Land-use intensification remains a problem: today it is threatened by reduced breeding productivity as a result of intensifying and changing agricultural practices (del Hoyo et al. 1996), especially the improvement of grasslands (e.g. by drainage, application of inorganic fertilizers and reseeding) (Baldi et al. 2005), increased growing of ""winter-crops"" (see Eggers et al. 2011), and loss of field margins and semi-natural habitat. Important migratory stop-over habitats for this species on the Baltic Sea coastline are threatened by petroleum pollution, wetland drainage for irrigation, land abandonment and changing land management practices leading to scrub overgrowth (Grishanov 2006). Clutch destruction may also occur during spring cultivation (using machinery) on arable fields (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is susceptible to avian botulism so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the disease (Hubalek et al. 2005). The species is hunted for commercial use (to be sold as food) and for recreational purposes in Iran (Balmaki and Barati 2006).

Changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution could affect this species in UAE, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown.The species also faces a range of threats globally, that could have an impact on individuals that visit the country. In some parts of its breeding range this species is threatened by the destruction of wetlands and bordering fallow steppe through drainage and water extraction for irrigation (Turkey) (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). Favoured migration staging posts, such as the Çukurova delta in southern Turkey are under increasing pressure from hunting, tourism and industrial activities, and are often polluted along the coast with oil (Tucker and Heath 1994).;The species is also susceptible to disturbance from tourists (e.g. National Parks and Wildlife Service 1999, Wearne and Underhill 2005).