This reef and estuarine-associated species occurs throughout UAE waters. It is heavily exploited and very highly-valued in the Arabian Gulf, including the UAE. A 2013 Abu Dhabi stock assessment concluded it is overexploited, especially due to the high rate of juvenile retention, which has led to growth overfishing. Though catch quantity has been relatively low over the time period from 2009-2018, it has virtually disappeared from fisheries catch on both coasts of the UAE. In addition, mangrove and estuarine degradation in the Arabian Gulf region is serious, and a likely additional threat to nursery habitat for this species. The status of population(s) outside the UAE is not well-understood, but it is exploited elsewhere as well. Based on stock assessment, catch data and fish market observations, this species is inferred to have declined by at least 50% or possibly more than 80% over at least half of a generation length, or the past decade. Three generation lengths is about 75 years, but data are not available to calculate a decline over this period. Considering this species is particularly long-lived and late to maturity, it is intrinsically susceptible to declines from overexploitation. Assuming that the population was stable previous to 2009, we suspect a decline of at least 50% with an expected continuing decline due to fishing effort trends. It is listed as Endangered A2bcd.