While Aspinall (1996) reports the species to be relatively common above 500m, and it could be assumed that these areas are less susceptible to development and disturbance (R. Sheldon;in litt.;2019), there is the potential threat of development of montane sites, and the possibility that overgrazing outside of Protected Areas may be having an impact on this species.

No threats are known to be affecting this species in the UAE.

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 potentially threatened by a range of threats that operate outside of the country. These external threats include habitat degradation through drainage and pollution (e.g. chlorinated hydrocarbons); the species is especially affected by the disappearance of reed swamps due to agricultural and hydroelectric development (del Hoyo et al. 1992, Hancock et al. 1992). Over-fishing and disturbance have caused population declines in Greece, and human exploitation of eggs and nestlings for food has threatened the species in the past (del Hoyo et al. 1992, Hancock et al. 1992). Poaching and collisions with overhead electricity cables are the main non-natural causes of death during migration (Triplet et al. 2008).;The species is also susceptible to avian influenza so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the virus (Melville and Shortridge 2006).

Within the UAE the species is particularly threatened by disturbance (which has been noted as a global threat for the species [see Ogilvie and Ogilvie 1986]), egg collection, habitat destruction;(Aspinall 1996), and development; and indeed one former potential breeding site (Al Ghar lakes) had been infilled (Aspinall 1996).Predator presence in the area around the Al Wathba breeding colony in 2016 caused disturbance throughout the breeding period (Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi 2016), and predators (e.g. foxes) cause disturbance at non-breeding sites as well.Other threats identified at the global level that could have an impact on the species outside of UAE, affecting individuals that visit the country, are mortality from lead poisoning (lead shot ingestion) (Mateo et al. 1998, Miltiadou 2005), collisions with fences and powerlines (Hockey et al. 2005), and from diseases such as tuberculosis, septicemia (Nasirwa 2000) and avian botulism (van Heerden 1974).

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).

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).

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).

Globally there are no major threats to this species, and it is assumed that there are no significant threats to the species within UAE. Some trapping may occur, as happens for Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus;(see Aspinall 1996).

Within the UAE, the main threat to this species may come from wetland land-use changes. As a migratory species, individuals that visit the country face a range of threats outside of the country as well. BirdLife International (2015) highlighted some of these as wetland desiccation and drainage; persecution; pollution, especially from excessive pesticide use in and around wetlands (although widespread bans have reduced this threat somewhat), and poisoning by heavy metals, notably the consumption of lead-shot through feeding on contaminated waterbirds (del Hoyo et al. 1994, Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001, Orta et al. 2014). The species is also highly vulnerable to the effects of potential wind energy development (STRIX 2012).

Aspinall (1996) identifies several key threats to this species within the UAE. Introduced mammals (e.g. cats) can have impacts at breeding sites, as well as industrial and oil development on breeding islands (Aspinall 1996). Additionally, dredging, pollution and anthropogenic disturbance are also priority threats to address (Aspinall 1996). The building of connection causeways to the mainland can result in pairs abandoning nesting sites (Aspinall 1996), and birds can become entangled in and killed by discarded plastic that is used as a nesting material (Aspinall 1996). In the wider Arabian Peninsula it has been noted that the species faces a threat from nest predation by White-tailed Mongoose;Ichneumia albicauda;(Symes et al. 2015).