Preen (2004) reported a 71% decline in small species of dolphins in the Arabian Gulf from 1986 to 1999, which included this species. There is no information available on decline rates in the individual species, so based on the assumption that they all declined equally it appears reasonable to infer a population reduction of >50% for Neophocaena phocaenoides over the past three generations (45 years). The species, therefore, qualifies for assessment as Endangered (EN) under criterion A2bc. The reduction was due to a combination of pressures including declining habitat quality because of increasing coastal development, bycatch, collision with boats and declines in fish stocks. The decline is continuing but it is not possible to say if it is at the same rate. The species also qualifies for listing as EN under criterion C2a(i) and under criterion D as the population size is less than 250 mature individuals. The species might qualify for listing as Critically Endangered under criterion C2a(ii) if it is determined that the UAE animals are a single subpopulation. There is no rescue effect, as the species does not move that far; the species tends to be very localised in its occurrence.

This pelagic species occurs throughout UAE waters. It is a minor component of handline and trap fisheries off Abu Dhabi, but is considered valuable and highly desirable by commercial and recreational fishers. Catch in Abu Dhabi declined by about 80-90% over the past two generation lengths (about 12 years), but there is uncertainty associated with the effort trends, and catch in the recreational fishery are not recorded. Anecdotal observations of its presence in fish markets indicate it has declined on the eastern coast of the UAE. The status of population(s) outside the UAE is not well-understood, though it is also taken by fisheries elsewhere. Based on the uncertainty regarding the population trend of this exploited species, it is listed as Data Deficient in UAE waters until updated data become available. Improvements in fisheries monitoring are needed.

Trapelus flavimaculatus is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution within the UAE, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. This taxon is not a non-breeding visitor, and it is presumed that any immigration from populations outside the UAE is not significant, and therefore there is no adjustment to the Category according to the IUCN regional and national Guidelines (IUCN 2012).

This inshore species occurs throughout UAE waters. It is exploited throughout the UAE, but species-specific catch data are not collected. It comprises a smaller proportion of the mullet catch than Crenimugil seheli, but catch in that fishery declined by about 80% over the past 11 years. Fishing effort trends are not well-understood. It is also exploited in areas neighbouring the UAE. In addition, the difficulty in distinguishing the mullet species taxonomically and easy confusion with other mullet species in the catch prevents an understanding of their status. Based on the uncertainty in the status of its population in the UAE, and concerns for possible over-exploitation, it is listed as Data Deficient. Improvements in fisheries monitoring are needed.

This inshore species occurs throughout UAE waters. It is exploited throughout the UAE, but species-specific catch data are not collected. It comprises a smaller proportion of the mullet catch than Crenimugil seheli, but catch in that fishery declined by about 80% over the past 11 years. Fishing effort trends are not well-understood. It is also exploited in areas neighboring the UAE. In addition, the difficulty in distinguishing the mullet species taxonomically and easy confusion with other mullet species in the catch prevents an understanding of their status. Based on the uncertainty in the status of its population in the UAE, and concerns for possible overexploitation, it is listed as Data Deficient. Improvements in fisheries monitoring are needed.

This inshore and estuarine species is not yet confirmed from UAE waters, but may occur there. Confusion with other mullet species contributes to this uncertainty. It is likely impacted by habitat loss from coastal development and cessation of rivers in the Arabian Gulf region. It is taken in fisheries, but it not thought to be as heavily exploited as Liza klunzingeri. It is listed as Data Deficient.

This coastal species is only known from juvenile specimens collected in Dubai Creek in the UAE on the Arabian Gulf coast. It is taken in fisheries and the only confirmed specimens on a global-level were collected from Qatar and Bahrain in the 1970s and 1980s. It is listed as Data Deficient.

This inshore and estuarine species is not yet confirmed to occur in UAE Arabian Gulf waters, but has been detected in mullet fisheries catch on the Sea of Oman coast. It rarely occurs in the catch, and its population status there is very poorly understood. In addition, the difficulty in distinguishing the mullet species taxonomically and easy confusion with other mullet species in the catch prevents an understanding of their status. It is a commercially important species elsewhere in the Arabian Gulf, and overfishing is considered to have contributed to declines. In addition, habitat loss due to cessation of rivers and coastal development in the Gulf has also caused declines. The status of population(s) outside the UAE is not well-understood, but declines have been recorded in Kuwait, Iran and Bahrain. Little is known on its distribution and population status in UAE waters; therefore, it is listed as Data Deficient. Improvements in fisheries monitoring are needed.

This inshore and estuarine species is not yet confirmed to occur in UAE waters, but may occur there. It is easily confused with Planiliza klunzingeri, and would be taken at some level in mixed mullet landings along with this species. It is listed as Data Deficient.

The Oman Cownose Ray occurs throughout UAE coastal waters, and may be common there. Due to confusion with the Javanese Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera javanica), population data can be uncertain, but it is suspected this species is the more common of the two that occur in the Arabian Sea region. Serious declines in cownose ray landings have been observed in Pakistan, and of batoids in general in India. 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, it is suspected to have declined by at least 30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 30 years. There is no information to confirm that this species is breeding in the UAE and no information confirming the likelihood of a cease in immigration from outside the region, despite ongoing threats and recorded declines. It is listed as Vulnerable A2d.