The most relevant threats to this species within UAE are potentially from wetland land-use changes, and possibly oil pollution at coastal sites, although the severity of these threats is essentially unknown. Individuals that visit UAE may also be impacted upon by other threats. In its wider breeding range outside of the UAE, the species is threatened by wetland degradation and destruction, for reasons such as lake drainage for irrigation and hydroelectric power production (Balian;et al.;2002), and in some parts of its range it is susceptible to pesticide poisoning (organophosphates and carbamates) (Kwon;et al.;2004). Large colonies nesting in urban areas are perceived as a public nuisance and may be persecuted (e.g. by disturbance to prevent colony establishment, removal or direct killing) (Kushlan and Hancock 2005).

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. Globally, the species is threatened by wetland habitat degradation and loss (Marchant and Higgins 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1992) for example through drainage, grazing, clearing, burning, increased salinity, groundwater extraction and invasion by exotic plants (Marchant and Higgins 1990). The species previously suffered from intense persecution for the plume trade (this is no longer a threat) (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Climate change is a potential future threat.

The most relevant threats to this species within UAE are potentially from wetland land-use changes and possibly oil pollution at coastal sites, although the severity of these threats is essentially unknown.;Individuals that visit UAE may also be impacted upon by other threats outside of the country. In Europe, the species was heavily persecuted in the nineteenth century due to its consumption of fish, which resulted in competition with fishermen and fish farmers (Kushlan and Hancock 2005). Although killing at aquaculture farms has not reduced the global population so far (possibly because it is mostly young birds being killed) (Kushlan and Hancock 2005), large numbers have been killed (Carss 1994, Kushlan and Hancock 2005). Timber harvesting is a threat throughout much of the species's range by removing trees used by nesting colonies and/or disturbing nearby colonies (Kushlan and Hancock 2005). The species is also susceptible to avian influenza (Melville and Shortridge 2006) and avian botulism (van Heerden 1974), so may be threatened by future outbreaks of these diseases.

Coastal development and disturbance on breeding islands is likely the greatest threat to the species, with detrimental effects in the past, present and future (BirdLife International 2010). Frequent human disturbance flushes parenting birds from nests, resulting in widespread egg and chick predation by gulls Larus spp. (Gallagher et al. 1984, Symens et al. 1993, Aspinall 1996). Total colony abandonment also occurs, and is not always followed by successful relocation elsewhere (Gallagher et al. 1984, Symens et al. 1993, Aspinall 1996). The extinction of 12 colonies since the 1960s is attributed to encroachment by development and prolonged human disturbance (H. King in litt. 2005). A current proposal to build a large multi-use project on Siniya Island (at present supporting a stable colony of c. 25,000 breeding pairs) including a bridge to the mainland, is likely to see the loss of this colony as a result of disturbance and subsequent access of terrestrial predators (S. Muzaffar in litt. 2016). Parent cormorants tend to respond to threats by departing from the nest rather than defensive aggression, leaving the chicks vulnerable to predation. In 2011, reports suggests that three Feral Cats Felis catus and three Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes were alone responsible for the death of c. 2,000 birds. The island has the capacity to sustain far larger predator populations, and there is potential for future increases in predation pressures. Simulated population models under these predation levels predict declines to near-extinction levels (a few hundred individuals) within 30 years (Muzaffar et al. 2013). As a ground-nesting species, Socotra Cormorant is vulnerable to the effects of storms, such as the flooding of nests during heavy rains, as took place on Suwad in November 1997. Similarly, in April 2003, an isolated thunderstorm with strong winds resulted in sudden termination of breeding and mass abandonment of chicks (H. King in litt. 2005). The species is highly vulnerable to marine oil spills (Gallagher et al. 1984, Symens and Suhaibani 1993). For instance, in August 1980 an oil spill of about 20,000 barrels off the coast of Bahrain killed up to 1,000 birds, most of which were Socotra Cormorants (Baha El Din 1991). Apart from direct mortality, effects include reduced immune function and reduced breeding success from oiling and ingestion, and depletion of prey fish stocks (Baha El Din 1991). As a piscivore, the species is susceptible to other marine pollutants such as heavy metals and PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) as well as neurotoxins (Baha El Din 1991). The species suffers minor effects from competition with fisheries, including non-targeted capture of prey species or their use as baitfish (Muzaffar et al. 2017b). The diet of chicks varied significantly between years, suggesting that the species is a generalist and feeds opportunistically on abundant fish species (Muzaffar et al. 2017b). Persecution, as well as chick and egg collection at remaining breeding sites, poses a threat of unknown severity (Aspinall 1996, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi 2016, Muzaffar et al. 2017a).

Due to the species's foraging behaviour (shallow diving) and habit of hunting within purse-seine and gill-nets, the species is particularly susceptible to bycatch. Although these unintentional effects of fishing activities are not currently found to be driving colony declines, they could present problems on both local and global scales if populations were to decline (Bregnballe and Frederiksen 2006). The species is also susceptible to oil spills across its range.Outside of the UAE the species also faces a range of other threats, which could impact individuals that visit the country. The species is often persecuted by the aquaculture industry and may be shot, drowned or poisoned in attempts to control numbers (Carss 1994) or for hunting;(Bzoma;et al. 2011). It may also suffer from disturbance from coastal wind farms (wind turbines) (Bradbury;et al. 2014), and is susceptible to avian influenza (Melville and Shortridge 2006) and Newcastle disease (Kuiken 1999), so may be threatened by future outbreaks of these viruses (Kuiken 1999, Melville and Shortridge 2006).;Recreational activities taking place at sea may also cause displacement from critical habitat. The species is hunted for recreation and is sold at commercial food markets in some countries e.g. Iran (Balmaki and Barati 2006).

The most pressing threats to this species in UAE are the presence of rats and cats on breeding islands, which cause rapid population declines (see Aspinall 1996). Birds of prey can also have an impact (Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi 2016). The presence of oil companies on Zirku and Arzanah has also led to local declines (Aspinall 1996).

While some of the following threats are taken from BirdLife International (2015) or are not taking place within the UAE, they are potentially relevant to individuals that visit the UAE as they may impact them outside of the country. The species is susceptible to avian influenza so may be threatened by future outbreaks of this virus (Melville and Shortridge 2006). The species suffers from the transformation of wetlands by destruction, infilling, pollution (including potential by oil) or recreational use, but this is often offset by the construction of man-made ponds, reservoirs and dams, leading to the expansion of the species in many areas (Aspinall 1996, Balmaki and Barati 2006, Llimona et al. 2014). In some areas, the species is hunted for commercial (sold as food) and recreational purposes (e.g. Iran; Balmaki and Barati 2006).

Across the species's global range, most of its breeding colonies are inaccessible or in protected areas so it would appear that global declines are due to pressures in wintering grounds or on migration. Radio-tagging of birds in Oman suggested that only about 12% of fledglings survived to the average age of first breeding, and that most of first-year mortality occurred during the first migration or soon after they reached their destination. This low apparent survival of immature birds could result in low recruitment to the breeding population, contributing to population declines (McGrady et al. 2016).However, Aspinall (1996) does note that breeding sites in UAE have been under threat from development and disturbance. Introduced mammals, such as cats, could have an impact and should be removed from breeding sites (Aspinall 1996).;The species has suffered from persecution, and the collection of nestlings for falconry could also contribute impact the remaining population (Aspinall 1996).

The species is not thought to be under any particular threat to its population in UAE (Aspinall 1996), although there is the risk that some individuals may be used as lures at falconry 'stations' (Aspinall 1996).

A number of threats have been highlighted for outside of UAE, which could have an impact within the country.;Juveniles suffer high mortality from collisions with power lines (Rollan;et al. 2010). Declining prey availability, increasing human disturbance and poaching at nest sites, and agricultural intensification are thought to be key factors in the species's global decline (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001, Orta;et al.;2016). It was affected by pesticide use in the mid-20^th;century, and since then populations have not recovered to their pre-organochlorine levels, although within the UAE itself this is not thought to be a significant threat.