Landing sites are typically in private ownership (operated for the benefit and profit of a single owner); owned communally (operated for the joint benefit of a number of people as in a co-operative society); or they might be owned publicly. Publicly-owned facilities may be provided from taxes for the common welfare and good, or they may be used by individuals on payment of a statutory fee. Communally used facilities that are publicly or commonly owned include the jetty, quay or wharf and the auction point or market. Other facilities, however, such as the ice plant, packing sheds, factories, and repair and maintenance facilities are usually operated as private business.

Proper management of landing sites is essential. A detailed plan of operations should be prepared during the planning stages and used to establish clearly, each staff member's functions. This plan should also establish detailed procedures for the systematic collection, handling, storage and distribution of landings, method of payment, issue of receipts, weighing system, daily sales and marketing expenses recording system, and the preparation of monthly financial reports. In the case of fish landing centres with fuel and oil service stations, gear and engine workshops, ice plants, supplies stores, etc., a detailed plan of operations and procedures for each component should also be prepared.

Management should ensure that the common practices required for good hygiene are observed both to protect the consumer and to make certain that the fishermen get the best possible prices for their catches.

Basic decision-making skills and supervisory capacity are vital for good management. Training in technical and organizational methods will often be required to upgrade staff skills to enable them to successfully overcome daily fish marketing problems.

Revenue for maintenance and management can be generated from fees for berthing, a commission of auction or sale price, chill or cold storage charges.