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.