The Giant Devil Ray occurs throughout UAE waters. This species is not targeted or valued in markets of the UAE and capture of this species is totally banned in the UAE. It is a component of the bycatch in several fisheries, but much of this catch is unreported. It is directly targeted in Sri Lanka and India, and exported to international markets, especially China where the gill plates are highly-valued. Its low productivity causes it to be susceptible to rapid population declines. It is especially susceptible to exploitation (target and bycatch) in many largely unregulated gill net, longline and trawl fisheries that operate within its range outside and surrounding UAE waters. Some management measures are now in place in the Arabian Sea region, although domestic fisheries are likely to continue. Though data specifically from the UAE are not available, individuals in the UAE are a component of a larger, interconnected and migratory population that occurs broadly in the north-western Indian Ocean. It is inferred that declines reported in the Arabian Sea region are representative of its status in the UAE. There is no information to confirm that this species is breeding in the UAE and no information confirming the likelihood of a cease in immigration from outside the region, despite ongoing threats and recorded declines. Based on recorded levels of exploitation, it is suspected to have declined by 30-50% over the past three generation lengths, or about 60 years. It is listed as Vulnerable A2d.