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.

The Longhorned Pygmy Devil Ray occurs throughout UAE waters and may be locally common there. There is a total ban on fishing for this species in UAE waters. It may be a synonym of Mobula kuhlii according to some workers. It is a component of the bycatch in several fisheries, but much of this catch is unreported. It is directly targeted in Sri Lanka (if it occurs there) and India, and exported to international markets, especially China where the gill plates are highly-valued. When captured in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, it is typically discarded alive, and significant declines are not suspected there at this time. Its low productivity causes it to be susceptible to rapid population declines when experiencing 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, it is suspected to have declined by 20-30% over the past three generation lengths, or about 23 years. It is listed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the thresholds for Vulnerable A2d.

The Sliteye Shark occurs throughout UAE inshore waters. It is caught in inshore gill net, trawl and line fisheries throughout the Arabian Sea region. Inshore fishing pressure is intense and intensifying, and declines are known in some areas. 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, 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.

In UAE waters, the Winghead Shark has only been confirmed from coastal waters on the Sea of Oman coast. No information on catch in the UAE is available, but it is taken in gill net, longline and bottom trawl fisheries in the Arabian Seas region. Anecdotal evidence from India and Pakistan suggests this species has drastically declined over the past 30-40 years. Furthermore, significant declines in landings of commercial shark species have been documented in the Arabian Sea region with other more abundant hammerhead species suspected to have declined by at least 50-80% over the past three generations. Although there are limited data on its status, other shark species in the Arabian Gulf have undergone significant declines due to exploitation. 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, it is suspected to have declined by at least 80% over the past three generation lengths, or about 42 years. It is listed as Critically Endangered A2d.

In UAE waters, the Bramble Shark, a large deepsea species, occurs only in the Sea of Oman. There are no fisheries that take this species in UAE waters due to the lack of deepsea fisheries. It is exploited off southwest India and historically in the Maldives. Its limited biological productivity infers an overall susceptibility to rapid population decline. Though data specifically from the UAE are not available, and it is not known how individuals occupying the UAE are connected with the broader population of the Arabian Seas region, there is no information available to suggest that its population status differs in the UAE as compared to other parts of its range in the region. Given the threats faced by this species in other parts of the Arabian Seas region, and ongoing threats from discarding and habitat loss in the UAE, it is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Seas are representative of the 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 90 years. It is listed as Vulnerable A2d.

The Grey Bamboo Shark occurs throughout UAE coastal waters, but it is poorly known in part due to taxonomic uncertainty and confusion with Chiloscyllium arabicum. It is not targeted, but is taken as bycatch in trawl (and other) fisheries, and is typically discarded due to its small size and low market value. 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.

The Hardnose Shark occurs throughout UAE inshore and offshore waters. It is caught in subsistence, artisanal and commercial fisheries that utilize gillnets, lines and trawls throughout the Arabian Sea region. Inshore fishing pressure is intense throughout this species' range, and the highest levels of exploitation probably occur in the UAE, Iran, Pakistan and India. Although of small size, its life history may not be as productive as that of other small carcharhinids (e.g., Rhizoprionodon spp.), making it more susceptible to fishing pressure. Anecdotal information indicates that significant declines have occurred over the past 20 years in UAE waters. 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 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 fish market observations over time, 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 24 years. It nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion A2bcd, and is listed as Near Threatened.