The most relevant threat within UAE is the possibility of oil pollution (a threat also highlighted at the global level [Gorski et al. 1977]), but the severity of this 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. The species is susceptible to avian influenza (Melville and Shortridge 2006) and avian botulism so may be threatened by future outbreaks of these diseases (Hubalek et al. 2005). It;has suffered local population declines in the past as a result of egg collecting (del Hoyo et al. 1996). In some areas of its breeding range the species may also suffer from reduced reproductive successes due to contamination with chemical pollutants (del Hoyo et al. 1996). None of these, however, are thought to be significant threats to the global population.

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: Declines in the most northerly breeding subspecies;L. f. fuscus;(a rare passage migrant to UAE; Pedersen et al. 2017) have been attributed in part to the high level of DDE residues accumulated during the non-breeding season, when this subspecies is found further south than the rest of the species (Bustnes 2006, Burger et al. 2018). High levels of PCBs have also been recorded with the potential to lead to mortality in chicks (Hario et al. 2000). Lesser Black-backed Gulls are also persecuted in some areas of its range, which may lead to displacement or even local declines. The species is susceptible to avian botulism, so may be threatened by future outbreaks of this disease (Mitchell;et al.;2004).

Within the UAE the only factor that was deemed a potential threat to this species by Aspinall (1996) is from the infilling of wetland sites.

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.

Changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution could affect this species in UAE, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown. Outside the UAE, the species is potentially threatened by disturbance from recreational activities (Cutts et al. 2009), intertidal oyster culture (Gittings and O'Donoghue 2012) and urban and industrial development, which could have an impact on individuals that visit the UAE. Warmer temperatures brought about by climate change are thought to affect this species (Maclean;et al. 2008).

Within the UAE, the most pressing threats to this species are likely to come from coastal land-use changes and potentially from oil pollution, but the severity of these threats to the species are uncertain.The species's global decline is driven by a very large range of threats, which may be important to highlight as they could be having an impact on the individuals when they are outside of the UAE - although, overall, the subspecies longipes, which is occurring in the UAE, is not thought to be in decline (Wetlands International 2019). Such threats include over-fishing of its prey (Atkinson;et al.;2003, Verhulst;et al.;2004, Ens 2006, van de Pol;et al. 2014), human disturbance (Kelin and Qiang 2006) (e.g. from construction work or recreational activities [Burton et al. 2002, van de Pol et al. 2014]), coastal barrage construction (Burton 2006), industrial development including development of ports and oil extraction, oil spills, wind farms (Melville et al. 2014) and reduced river flows (Kelin and Qiang 2006). Intensive agriculture including frequent mowing of grasslands and high densities of grazing livestock threatens chicks, eggs and nests and high levels of fertilizers and pesticides can reduce soil invertebrate biomass (van de Pol;et al. 2014). A reduction in eutrophication is likely to have contributed to declines in some areas, owing to a loss of food resources (van de Pol et al. 2014, H. Meltofte in litt. 2015).;The species is hunted in some range states (both legally and illegally) but the effects of hunting at the population level are not known (Melville et al. 2014, Sarychev and Mischenko 2014, van de Pol et al. 2014). The invasive Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas has become abundant in the Oosterschelde (Netherlands) and is increasing in the Dutch Wadden Sea (van de Pol et al. 2014). Eurasian Oystercatcher generally does not eat this species of oyster which is reported to be invading mussel beds and may compete with cockles and mussels thus reducing food availability. However Pacific Oyster beds could also provide an area for mussel beds to re-establish. In the northern part of the breeding range of the longipes subspecies, cessation of grazing in coastal areas leading to development of shrubby vegetation threatens breeding habitats (Sarychev and Mischenko 2014). Conversely, intensive grazing in some areas may pose a threat to this population. The species is susceptible to avian influenza so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the virus (Melville and Shortridge 2006).Sea level rise leading to increased coastal erosion and flooding is contributing to habitat loss in some areas (Melville;et al. 2014, van de Pol;et al. 2014). Climate change has advanced the average egg-laying date of the species and is likely to reduce recruitment of bivalves, however warmer winters are expected to benefit the species leading to lower winter mortality (van de Pol;et al. 2014). Droughts in some inland areas are likely to lead to a loss of suitable habitat (Melville;et al. 2014, Sarychev and Mischenko 2014).

The most relevant threats within the UAE are changes in land-use and the possibility of oil pollution, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown.;Outside of the UAE, the species faces a range of threats, which could impact individuals that visit the country. Habitat destruction, including from peat extraction, could impact the species during its breeding stage. Coastal dredging could also reduce available habitat and prey while at sea (O'Brien et al. 1997). The species is vulnerable to invasive alien predators (Biodiversity in Sweden 2012), as well as human disturbance on its breeding grounds. The species faces ongoing changes to habitat caused by increasing temperatures and impact of climate change (Huntley;et al. 2007).

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.The key threats to the global population of this species, which may occur outside of the country, but could still be relevant to individuals that visit UAE include; habitat loss due to development, reservoir and marshland habitat alteration by salt-industries, habitat degradation by diminishing rainfall, and illegal hunting (bird trapping);(Balachandran 2006). This species is susceptible to avian influenza (Melville and Shortridge 2006, Gaidet et al. 2007) and avian botulism (Blaker 1967, van Heerden 1974) so may be threatened by future outbreaks of these diseases. Climate change is also a potential future threat.

Changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution could affect this species in UAE, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown. Elsewhere in its range (which could be relevant to species that pass-through or over-winter in UAE) the;species is significantly threatened by the loss of its breeding habitat though afforestation of moorland (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Lavers and Haines-Young 1997).;Additionally, important migratory stop-over habitats are threatened by petroleum pollution, wetland drainage for irrigation, peat-extraction, reedbed mowing and burning, and abandonment and changing land management practices leading to scrub and reed overgrowth (Grishanov 2006). The species is also susceptible to avian influenza (strain H5N1 in particular) and is therefore threatened by outbreaks of the virus (Melville and Shortridge 2006). Climate change is likely to have an effect on this species in the future.

Changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution could affect this species in UAE, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown. This species is also susceptible to avian malaria (Mendes et al. 2005) and avian botulism (Blaker 1967, van Heerden 1974), so may be threatened by future outbreaks of these diseases. Climate change may have an impact on this species in the future.