The National Red List Project

Please note, this National Red List website contains a subset of data whilst we transition to national focal point driven data uploads. We thank you for your patience with this and welcome national contributors to get in touch to update their national dataset. Terms of Use including citation guidance are found here.

The previous dataset is available via: https://archive.nationalredlist.org/. This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.

LC

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Assessment ID
330090
Taxon name
Pagellus affinis
Boulenger, 1888
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Pagellus affinis
Boulenger, 1888
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
actinopterygii
Order
perciformes
Family
sparidae
Genus
Pagellus
Species
affinis
Species authority
Boulenger, 1888
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
In the UAE, this coastal species occurs only on the Sea of Oman coast. It is taken in small quantities by fishers there and likely elsewhere in waters neighboring the UAE. Fishing activity is not known to be driving population declines at this time; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species occurs in the Sea of Oman waters of the UAE, but does not occur on the Arabian Gulf coast. Globally, it is restricted to the northwestern Indian Ocean from the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Gulf to Pakistan (Y. Iwatsuki pers. comm. 2013).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species inhabits a variety of bottom types, but prefers hard bottoms to at least 100 m depth (Carpenter et al. 1997b). It consumes small invertebrates (Sivasubramaniam and Ebrahim 1982). It commonly occurs to 15-25 cm length, with a maximum total length of 37 cm (Sivasubramaniam and Ebrahim 1982, Sommer et al. 1996).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Fishing activity is not known to be driving declines in the UAE at this time.
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Assessment ID
330079
Taxon name
Gerres oyena
(Forsskål, 1775)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Gerres oyena
(Forsskål, 1775)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
actinopterygii
Order
perciformes
Family
gerreidae
Genus
Gerres
Species
oyena
Species authority
(Forsskål, 1775)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
This demersal, inshore species is common and abundant throughout UAE waters. Fishing activity is not known to be causing population declines at this time. There are no known major threats; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern in the UAE.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific (Randall et al. 1997, Iwatsuki et al. 1999, Kapoor et al. 2002, Rajan et al. 2011, Allen and Erdmann 2012). The depth range is 1 to 30 m (Randall 1995, Woodland 2001).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This speciesinhabits inshore areas on silty-sand and mud bottoms down along the coast in saltwater lagoons and estuaries (Iwatsuki et al. 1999, Woodland 2001, Allen and Erdmann 2012). It also occurs in soft-bottom habitats in reef areas, and utilizes estuaries with turtle grasses and mangroves as nursery areas (Yeeting 1990). It occurs singly or in groups and feeds on small, benthic invertebrates (Lieske and Myers 1994, Woodland 2001). It migrates to coastal areas or oceanside inshore areas to spawn (Kanak and Tachihara 2006). Females and males reach sexual maturity around 10.4 and 9.2 cm standard length, respectively, and longevity is at least 8 years (Kanak and Tachihara 2008). The maximum length is 40 cm (Yeeting 1990).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Fishing activity is not known to be driving declines in the UAE at this time. Anthropogenic modification of estuarine habitats, which is pervasive in the Arabian Gulf region, may impact this species. Corals in the UAE and Arabian Gulf have severely declined due to the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events caused by rising water temperatures, which is a consequence of climate change, as well as pervasive coastal development (Riegl et al. 2018, Burt et al. 2019).
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Assessment ID
330008
Taxon name
Iago omanensis
(Norman, 1939)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Iago omanensis
(Norman, 1939)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
chondrichthyes
Order
carcharhiniformes
Family
triakidae
Genus
Iago
Species
omanensis
Species authority
(Norman, 1939)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
The Bay of Bengal population may represent a separate dwarf Iago omanensis-like species (Fernando et al. 2019, Psomadakis et al. 2019).
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
In UAE waters, the Bigeye Houndshark occurs only in deeper waters of the Sea of Oman. This species is not targeted or valued in markets of the UAE and trawling has been banned there since 1980. It is taken by gill net or trawl fisheries in Oman, Pakistan and India and utilized fresh for human consumption. It appears to be quite common in some areas of its range, such as Oman and northwestern India, but data specific to its status in the UAE are not available at this time. There is some evidence for declines in the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) and India, especially where deep sea trawl fisheries have been recently expanding. There are no data to suggest that the part of the population that occupies the UAE is under any greater threat than in any other part of its range and that its status in the Arabian Seas region should be representative of its status in the UAE. Given its probable extensive refuge in deep waters, it is listed as Least Concern.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The Bigeye Houndshark occurs in UAE waters on the Sea of Oman coast. It is excluded from the Arabian Gulf. Its global range is poorly-defined due to taxonomic issues, but as presently known, it occurs throughout the Arabian Sea region with the exception of the Gulf, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. There may be several species in India that remain to be described (K.K. Bineesh pers. comm. 07/02/2017). Further research is required, but the Bigeye Houndshark may be restricted to the western parts of the Arabian Sea region.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The Bigeye Houndshark is most commonly found on continental shelves and slopes at depths from 110-1,000 m and possibly as deep as 2,195 m in the Red Sea. In the Gulf of Aqaba, males apparently inhabit deeper waters, whereas females prefer shallower waters (300 m) (Baranes 2005). The species attains a maximum size of 84 cm total length (TL) (Henderson and Reeve 2014) with females reaching maturity at ~40 cm TL and males at 31-32 cm TL. Reproduction is viviparous with yolk-sac placenta and gestation lasts for 10-12 months with two to six pups are produced per litter (Baranes 2007). Size at birth is at ~14 cm TL (Baranes 2007, Henderson and Reeve 2014). Preliminary ageing data indicates males live to 7 years and females to 9 years (Henderson et al. 2004) suggesting a generation length of 5.5 years.
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Threat information specific to this species in the UAE is unavailable. In the UAE, sharks have been impacted by targeted commercial fisheries until 2014 when a ban on export of sharks was imposed (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment). Sharks continue to be impacted by artisanal and bycatch fisheries (Annual Fisheries Statistical Report for Abu Dhabi Emirate 2001-2018), though catch data are not species-specific.
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Assessment ID
330007
Taxon name
Mustelus mosis
Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1899
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Mustelus mosis
Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1899
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
chondrichthyes
Order
carcharhiniformes
Family
triakidae
Genus
Mustelus
Species
mosis
Species authority
Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1899
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
The Arabian Smoothhound occurs throughout UAE inshore and offshore waters, and may be relatively common there. It is taken as bycatch in some parts of its range, but remains common in landings. This species is not targeted in the UAE, trawling has been banned there since 1980 and it apparently remains common. Based on the lack of evidence for declines, continued importance in fisheries landings and relatively high biological productivity, this species is listed as Least Concern.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The Arabian Smoothhound occurs throughout UAE waters (Randall 1995, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi unpublished data). Globally, it is moderately widespread in the Northern Indian Ocean from the Red Sea to India and Sri Lanka. Taxonomic issues have confused the distribution of this species in eastern India and Sri Lanka, and the full distribution of the species remains to be resolved.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This is a bottom dwelling shark found inshore and offshore at depths of 0-250 m, sometimes in association with coral reefs (Compagno 1984). The species is reported to reach a maximum size of 150 cm total length (TL) but is rarely seen above 100 cm TL (Jabado et al. 2016, Moore et al. 2016). Males mature at 65-78 cm TL and females mature from about 73 cm TL. Reproduction is viviparous, and the species gives birth to 2-16 pups per litter (Moore et al. 2016). Size at birth is reported as 26-28 cm TL (Bass 1986). No ageing data is available. Generation length is estimated as 10 years based on the Narrownose Smoothhound (Mustelus schmitti) from Brazil which has a similar distribution and maximum size.
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
In the UAE, sharks have been impacted by targeted commercial fisheries until 2014 when a ban on export of sharks was imposed (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment). Sharks continue to be impacted by artisanal and bycatch fisheries (Annual Fisheries Statistical Report for Abu Dhabi Emirate 2001-2018), though catch data are not species-specific. Marine habitats in the region have experienced high levels of disturbance and are quickly deteriorating due to major impacts from development activities (Sheppard <em style=""font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2; text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px"">et al. 2010).
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Assessment ID
329998
Taxon name
Alepes vari
(Cuvier, 1833)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Alepes vari
(Cuvier, 1833)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
actinopterygii
Order
perciformes
Family
carangidae
Genus
Alepes
Species
vari
Species authority
(Cuvier, 1833)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
This inshore, pelagic speciesis common throughout UAE waters. Fishing activity is not expected to be causing population declines at this time. There are no known major threats; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern in the UAE.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific (Smith-Vaniz 1984, 1999).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This speciesoccurs in shallow coastal waters, and commonly swims near the surface forming dense schools above clear inner coral reef areas (Smith-Vaniz 1984, Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001). It feeds primarily on shrimps, copepods, decapods and small fishes. The maximum total length is 56 cm (Smith-Vaniz 1984).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Fishing activity is not known to be driving declines in the UAE at this time. Corals in the UAE and Arabian Gulf have severely declined due to the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events caused by rising water temperatures, which is a consequence of climate change, as well as pervasive coastal development (Riegl et al. 2018, Burt et al. 2019).
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Assessment ID
329997
Taxon name
Caranx sexfasciatus
Quoy & Gaimard, 1825
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Caranx sexfasciatus
Quoy & Gaimard, 1825
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
actinopterygii
Order
perciformes
Family
carangidae
Genus
Caranx
Species
sexfasciatus
Species authority
Quoy & Gaimard, 1825
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
This inshore, pelagic species is common on the eastern coast in UAE waters, but is not yet confirmed from the Gulf coast. Fishing activity is not expected to be causing population declines at this time. There are no known major threats; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern in the UAE.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific (Allen and Robertson 1994, Smith-Vaniz 1995, Honebrink 2000).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species is mostly found over coral and rocky reef complexes as adults, but is known to move into inshore areas in sandy bays and lagoons in small numbers (Hamilton and Walter 1999). Juveniles inhabit more inshore, shallower waters around the coastlines, often venturing into lagoons, tidal flats, mangroves and estuaries (Whitfield and Harrison 2003, González Acost and De La Cruz Agüero 2004). It has also been observed well into the upper reaches of rivers (Allen et al. 2002). The species has been reported in pelagic open ocean settings, milling around stationary buoys (Fedoryako 1988). It also is known to be a schooling fish, with aggregations consisting of more than 1500 fish (Sala et al. 2003). Itsdiet consists of crustaceans and fishes (Chan et al. 1974). The maximum total length is 120 cm (Frimodt 1995). The mean length at first maturity (sex unknown) is 30 cm (Tharwat and Al-Gaber 2006).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Fishing activity is not known to be driving declines in the UAE at this time. Corals in the UAE and Arabian Gulf have severely declined due to the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events caused by rising water temperatures, which is a consequence of climate change, as well as pervasive coastal development (Riegl et al. 2018, Burt et al. 2019).
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Assessment ID
329996
Taxon name
Sardinella albella
(Valenciennes, 1847)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Sardinella albella
(Valenciennes, 1847)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
actinopterygii
Order
clupeiformes
Family
clupeidae
Genus
Sardinella
Species
albella
Species authority
(Valenciennes, 1847)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
This inshore, pelagic speciesoccurs throughout UAE waters. Fishing activity is not expected to be causing population declines approaching a Near Threatened or threatened level at this time. Although, catch is apparently declining slightly in recent years on the eastern coast, and this requires further investigation. There are no known major threats; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern in the UAE.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific (Whitehead 1985, Paxton et al. 1989, Russell and Houston 1989).According to Stern et al. (2016), no true Sardinella albella occur east of the Bay of Bengal, and those records there may represent misidentifications of S. fimbriata. This species has an estimated depth range of 0 to 50 m.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This reef-associated, pelagic species occurs in tropical waters to a depth of 50 m. It also occurs in estuaries and mangroves (Robertson and Duke 1990). It is a schooling species considered to be an epi-pelagic planktivore (Freije and Awadh 2008). This is a short-lived species with a maximum known longevity of less than two years (Holt 1960, Sekharan 1968). It is thought to reach maturity at approximately 10 cm standard length. Its maximum standard length is 14 cm (Whitehead 1985).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Fishing activity is not known to be driving declines approaching a Near Threatened or threatened level in the UAE at this time. Corals in the UAE and Arabian Gulf have severely declined due to the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events caused by rising water temperatures, which is a consequence of climate change, as well as pervasive coastal development (Riegl et al. 2018, Burt et al. 2019).
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Assessment ID
329995
Taxon name
Decapterus russelli
(Rüppell, 1830)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Decapterus russelli
(Rüppell, 1830)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
actinopterygii
Order
perciformes
Family
carangidae
Genus
Decapterus
Species
russelli
Species authority
(Rüppell, 1830)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
This inshore, pelagic speciesoccurs throughout UAE waters. Anecdotal data indicates this species may have experienced some level of decline on the eastern coast, but no catch declines are known from the Gulf coast. It remains relativwly common. There are no known major threats; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern in the UAE. It is recommended to improve fisheries monitoring of this species.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific (Golani 2006).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This benthopelagic species inhabits coastal waters and open banks. Itsdiet consists of smaller planktonic invertebrates (Smith-Vaniz 1984). It attains sexual maturity at 12 cm total length in the first year of its life (Smith-Vaniz 1984). It spawns year-round, with two peak spawning periods (Balasubramanian and Natarajan 2000). The estimated longevity off India is 3.8-6.7 years (Reuben et al. 1992). The maximum total length is 39 cm (Randall 1995).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Fishing activity is not known to be driving declines approaching a Near Threatened or threatened level in the UAE at this time.
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Assessment ID
329994
Taxon name
Alectis ciliaris
(Bloch, 1787)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Alectis ciliaris
(Bloch, 1787)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
actinopterygii
Order
perciformes
Family
carangidae
Genus
Alectis
Species
ciliaris
Species authority
(Bloch, 1787)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
This inshore and offshore, pelagic species is common throughout UAE waters. Fishing activity is not expected to be causing population declines at this time. There are no known major threats; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern in the UAE.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species occurs throughout UAE waters. Elsewhere, it is circumtropically distributed in tropical and subtropical waters (Simon et al. 2013, Smith-Vaniz 2016).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This pelagic species inhabits neritic and oceanic waters. Adults are usually solitary and frequent shallow coastal waters to depths of 100 m, while juveniles are pelagic and drift. Adults are demersal, however, juveniles up to 25 cm are pelagic. Itsdiet consists of slow-swimming or sedentary crustaceans, and occasionally small crabs and fishes (Smith-Vaniz 1984). The maximum total length is 150 cm; common to 100 cm fork length (Sommer et al. 1996).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Fishing activity is not known to be driving declines in the UAE at this time.
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Assessment ID
329992
Taxon name
Nematalosa nasus
(Bloch, 1795)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Nematalosa nasus
(Bloch, 1795)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
actinopterygii
Order
clupeiformes
Family
clupeidae
Genus
Nematalosa
Species
nasus
Species authority
(Bloch, 1795)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
This inshore, pelagic speciesis common and abundant throughout UAE waters. Fishing activity is not expected to be causing population declines at this time. There are no known major threats; therefore, it is listed as Least Concern in the UAE.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This species occurs throughout UAE waters. Globally, it is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific (Whitehead and Wongratana 1986, Munroe et al. 1999).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Yes
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This pelagic-neritic, anadromous species occurs in tropical waters to a depth of 30 m (Whitehead 1985, Shao and Lim 1991, Daniels 2002, Riede 2004). It is mainly found in estuaries and coastal areas, but occasionally ascends into the upper reaches of the tidal zone (Rainboth 1996). Its maximum total length is 22 cm (Whitehead and Wongratana 1986).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Fishing activity is not known to be driving declines in the UAE at this time. Coastal development may be impacting the habitats of this species. It is sensitive to anoxia events, where it is frequently recorded in fish kills, but it remains abundant, and this is not considered a major threat at this time.
Publication
UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.