General
Epinephelus fasciatus occurs in numerous marine protected areas throughout its range.

Country-specific
Africa
Only 225 km² of reefs are no take-areas in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique (Wells et al. 2007), however compliance is variable. In KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, most of the north coast which contains coral reefs is protected by a 145 km long MPA in which no demersal fishing is allowed, and is strictly enforced. It is intended that this MPA and the southern Mozambique coast from Ponta d’Ouro to Maputo will be incorporated into a Transboundary MPA, with areas zoned for protection, which should offer further protection to this species.

South Africa
In South Africa, as part of a suite of restricted species, a maximum of five individuals of this species may be retained by recreational fishers in one day; no limits for commercial fishers.

Mozambique
In Mozambique, a maximum of 10 individuals of demersal species may be retained by recreational fishers.

Australia
Occurs throughout the GBR Marine Park, and there are also size and bag limit restrictions for the recreational fishery in the state of Queensland, Australia.

Philippines
In the Philippines in the Tubataha Marine Protected Area, Sulu Sea.