The Arabian Carpetshark occurs throughout UAE coastal waters, and is common in the Arabian Gulf. This species is not targeted or valued in markets of the UAE, trawling has been banned there since 1980 and recently conducted surveys frequently detected it in the area. It is not targeted in the Arabian Sea region, but appears to be a major component of bycatch in trawl (and other) fisheries, and is typically discarded due to its small size and low market value. It has a close association with coral reef and estuarine habitats, which are prone to degradation and loss in the Gulf due to coastal development and impacts to benthic communities from demersal trawling. 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 27 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2cd.