The most relevant threats within UAE are changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution and marine debris, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown.Outside of the UAE, this species has also been identified as particularly susceptible to abandonment of breeding sites due to human disturbance (Molina et al. 2014), although early dispersal from breeding sites appears to be a behavioural trait of the species that may mitigate the impact of disturbance.

Given how recently the species has been discovered in UAE it is difficult to assess the threats to this species, although given that one was captured and donated to the Dubai Zoo in 2003 (R. Khan;per;Pedersen;et al. 2017);this could represent a very minor threat. Otherwise threats may be similar as for B. ascalaphus, namely persecution to discourage nesting near human habitation (Aspinall 1996), and collisions with vehicles and powerlines (Aspinall 1996). However, further work is required to get a better view of the species's threats within UAE.

While the most relevant potential threat to the species in UAE waters is from oil spills, breeding colonies may be affected by a range of threats, which in turn could impact individuals that visit UAE. Collection of eggs and hunting of adults from breeding colonies (Carboneras et al. 2018) is thought to be causing slow and significant declines. Masked Boobies are sensitive to human disturbance, with visitors passing within 10-20 m causing birds to leave their nest (Borsa et al. 2010); however, this is not believed to be significantly affecting the population in the UAE. Invasive species, primarily House Rats Rattus rattus, also could pose a threat as has been noted in some parts of its range;(for example on Clipperton Island, following the eradication of feral cats Felis catus;[Pitman et al. 2005]).

The most relevant threats to this species within UAE are potentially from wetland land-use changes, and possibly oil pollution at coastal sites, bycatch and marine debris (plastic) at sea, although the severity of these threats is essentially unknown.Individuals that visit UAE may also be impacted upon by other threats. It has been reported that colonies in the east of the global range are frequently raided for eggs and the species is hunted in the Ukraine (Rudenko 2006, Burger et al. 2018). It has also, previously been culled to protect other Larus species, however this has not been recorded recently. Numerous small oil spills have been reported to cause mortality in the species, for example in Azerbaijan (Burger et al. 2018), though this appears to have minimal impact on the population trend.

Desert encroachment and development is likely impacting suitable breeding habitat for the species (Aspinall 1996), while the increase in desert activities such as dune driving could negatively impact the availability and quality of its habitat (R. Sheldon;in litt. 2019). Failure of rain is also expected to exert a negative impact on the population (S. Alam in litt. 2019).;Outside of the UAE, in the wider Arabian Peninsula, hunting is considered to be a significant threat (Symes et al. 2015), but the degree of impact on the individuals that visit the UAE is uncertain.

Changes in wetland land-use could affect this species in UAE, but the severity of such a threats towards this species is unknown.The species also faces a range of threats globally, which could impact individuals that visit the country. Since 1970, European populations have fallen, most likely due to habitat destruction and pollution, however these alone do not explain its overall European decline. Recreational activities such as fishing and swimming are also a threat as is the intensive commercial use of water areas (e.g. reed cutting, fish farming), river regulation measures and eutrophication (Bauer et al. 2006).

The key threats to this species within the UAE come from habitat degradation, via land-use changes, infilling, drainage and potentially pollution (see Aspinall 1996).

Loss of woodland (e.g. Acacia and Prosopis), would have an impact on this species (see Aspinall 1996). Development in certain areas would also likely pose a threat to this species. There is some trade in this species, but this is only thought to involve imported individuals rather than capture from the wild within the country (Aspinall 1996).

This species is likely to be threatened by the loss of its key forest habitat, potentially due to logging, clearance for development, or from overgrazing (del Hoyo et al. 2005). Drainage schemes within its range are at least not thought to have been beneficial for the species (del Hoyo et al. 2005). Conflicts within its range are another potential cause of habitat loss and disturbance.

Within the UAE, the species is potentially impacted by oil and other marine pollution such as plastics, but the severity of these threats are essentially unknown.Across its global range, a suite of other threats have been identified, which could have an impact on individuals that visit UAE:The species is at risk from incidental capture in longline, trawl and gill-net fisheries and suffers the additional effects of depletion of prey stocks (Uhlmann 2003). The species is also subject to direct persecution, and harvesting of young birds ('muttonbirding') currently accounts for the take of around a quarter of a million birds annually (del Hoyo et al. 1992, Heather and Robertson 1997, Newman et al. 2008, 2009), but is unlikely to account for the scale of the observed decline. Investigation into the biological impact of climatic trends led to predictions of large-scale shifts in foraging distribution during the boreal summer and/or dramatic reductions in abundance and survival rate (Ainley et al. 1995, Veit et al. 1996, 1997, Spear and Ainley 1999, Wahl and Tweit 2000, Oedekoven et al. 2001, Hyrenbach and Veit 2003), and indeed it has now been noted that climate change is affecting the foraging distribution of this species at least along the Californian coast (Veit et al. 1997). Declines at monitored breeding sites appear to be linked to changed patterns in large scale oceanic cycles which reduce prey availability (Clucas 2011). Both Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus and House Rat R. rattus are present within the species breeding range, and although egg and chick predation by rats has been demonstrated, the extent of impact is unknown (Jones et al. 2008).