Overgrazing, especially by camels, has caused extensive habitat degradation outside protected areas. An increase in numbers of feral cats and an increase in Red Fox range and numbers may also be having an impact on small mammals.

Dugongs used to be harvested and sold as meat in fish markets up until 1970. Incidental mortality in illegal fishing nets and abandoned fishing gear has been the biggest recent threat. Other threats include vessel strikes, degradation of seagrass beds due to coastal development, and water pollution. Since monitoring began in 2001, 175 cases of Dugong mortality have been investigated by EAD. Mortality incidence is frequently reported during the winter months from November to March which coincides with higher seagrass biomass, large congregations of Dugongs and intense fishing activities. The main cause of mortality in the last 16 years has found to be drowning in abandoned, lost and/or illegal fishing nets (69.7%) followed by vessel strikes (13.7%). However, in 2010-2015, the cause of death due to drowning increased to 85%, indicating that Dugong mortality in the UAE is a human/wildlife conflict due to irresponsible fishing practices, use of illegal nets and the inadequate implementation of regulations (EAD 2015). A total of 22 incidences of Dugong mortality were reported and investigated by EAD during 2015. Three mortalities were reported from the Eastern Region, six from the Central Region and the remaining 13 from the Western Region. Eleven (50%) were due to drowning in nets but the cause of death could not be ascertained for the remainder. No mortalities resulting from vessel strikes were observed in 2015 (EAD 2015). Boat strikes have decreased inside protected areas due to the implementation of controls. However, adult Dugongs normally avoid noise, so strikes are mainly an issue for the more curious subadults.