This coastal species occurs throughout UAE waters. It is targeted by commercial fisheries along with the congener Rhabdosargus haffara, and due to similarities in appearance, landings are lumped throughout the Arabian Gulf region. It may be rare in comparison to R. haffara, but further taxonomic study is needed. The stock is considered overexploited in Abu Dhabi according to assessments conducted in 2011 and 2018. Catch in Abu Dhabi declined by 88% over the past 11 years. Its population status in neighboring areas is not well-understood, but the species is also heavily exploited elsewhere, and declining landings have also been recorded in other countries within the region. Based on stock assessments and catch data, it is inferred that this species has undergone a decline of at least 50% and possibly more over the past two generation lengths, or 15 years. With recent fisheries management measures implemented in Abu Dhabi, it is difficult to say whether fishing effort will continue to increase or decrease within the near future; however, effort in this fishery in surrounding Emirates where management measures are not stringent may increase or remain the same. Considering that other Emirates and surrounding countries that likely share this stock do not have management measures in place to reduce effort in the gargoor fishery, population declines are expected to continue. In addition, degradation of estuarine habitats is ongoing in the UAE and Arabian Gulf region. It is listed as Endangered A2bcd+A4bcd.