In the mythology and religion of Tonga, Taufa was a sea god worshipped by chief Tungi of East Tongatapu and by the royal family of Tonga because he cured the Tongan king George I (ruled 1845–1893).
He also protects gardens. In order for a homeowner to gain this protection, they had to braid a coconut leaf into a shark shape.
Taufa is both a sea and a land god. As a sea god he appears as a shark.
References
Taufa Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA